George Ripley as a Pilgrim (from the Ripley Scroll)

The figure is shown in profile, walking toward the right with his left hand raised as if in greeting or surprise. He wears a short tunic, hose, and boots, with a small pouch hanging from his waist and a large satchel slung over his shoulder. A long, pole-like object, striped with red, is carried diagonally across his back. His facial features are weathered, characterized by a pointed beard and an open mouth. The rendering is a monochromatic ink drawing with subtle touches of red pigment.

This figure serves as the iconographic signature at the conclusion of the 'Ripley Scroll,' a central document in the English alchemical tradition that visualizes the stages of the transmutation process. It connects George Ripley to the trope of the 'philosopher-pilgrim,' emphasizing the arduous spiritual and intellectual journey required to achieve the Great Work.