Pamono J. J. Borghetto, The Alchemist and the Snake Hunter in Pendant, 1945, Oil on Canvases, Set of 2> Mid-Century

J. J. Borghetto, the Alchemist and the Snake Hunter in Pendant, 1945. A pair of medium-format paintings of French origin. The first depicts an alchemist, rather than a pharmacist or chemist, sitting in his laboratory among test tubes and alembics. The elegantly dressed man is seated at a table, intent on writing. At the bottom right, within a cartouche, is the inscription Homo versutus scientiam celat. Prov. XII V7. Below is the signature J.J. Borghetto June 1945.

The second painting, of the same size, depicts three men in Nordic attire intent on catching snakes with forked sticks and spring-loaded tongs, placing them in a shoulder bag. At the bottom left, within a cartouche, is the inscription Coleban mutos serpentes Sap. II. V16. In the opposite corner is Borghetto’s signature.