A young woman, perhaps Prudentia, warns an alchemist of the dangers of abusing fire: in the background fires rage in buildings and mines. Oil painting after Marten de Vos.

The print on which this painting is based is one work in a set of the four elements, in this case fire. The Latin verses on the print explain the beneficial and dangerous effects of fire. The alchemist is warned by a young woman, probably Prudentia, not to waste his money on the "fallacious art of alchemy" which deceives many. The alchemical equipment is that of the 16th century, including a round alembic with outlets for steam