A key to physic, and the occult sciences

In the center of the light, Mercury The Roman messenger god, known as Hermes in Greek mythology, representing communication and secret knowledge flies downward. He wears a winged traveler's hat original: "petasos" and winged sandals, holding a staff entwined with serpents original: "caduceus" in his right hand and two golden keys in his left.

The landscape background shows a sun with a human face rising behind a mountain on the left, while a crescent moon hangs in the sky on the right.

The foreground is dominated by a rocky hill with a prominent arched opening. This main tunnel, constructed with visible masonry blocks, contains a staircase leading toward a small, brightly lit yellow door at the far end. To the left of this main arch, a smaller cavern reveals an alchemist in a purple coat and yellow hat working with laboratory equipment, including a furnace and a globe. To the right of the main arch, a crowned female figure in a yellow gown and blue cloak points upward toward the divine light. Seated near her is an elderly, bearded scholar in a red robe, resting his head on his hand in a contemplative posture. A small, glass-paned lantern sits on the ground beside him. The scene is decorated with trees, vines, and various colorful flowers.

Dodd drew this original: "delin.", an abbreviation for the Latin "delineavit"