Johann of Laz, or Johannes von Laaz, Joannes de Lasnioro, was aBohemianalchemist during the first half of the fifteenth century.

Little is known about Johann's life, but his name probably indicates that he came fromLedce u Židlochovic (German Laatz).

HisTractatus aureus de lapide philosophorum (The Golden Treatise on thePhilosopher's Stone) was first printed in 1611 and was later reprinted inZetzner'sTheatrum Chemicum. In that text, he presents a transmutation of metals from quicksilver, sulfur, and gold. Laz also claims to be a student of the alchemist Anthony of Florence (Antonius de Florentia), who was supposed to have been murdered in Bohemia.

Benedikt Nikolaus Petraeus cites Johann of Laz in the foreword to his edition ofBasil Valentine'sChymischen Schriften (1667). In that text, he discusses the supposed alchemical activity ofBarbara von Cilli, widow of the Holy Roman EmperorSigismund of Luxembourg. According to Laz, she exchanged ideas about the transmutation of metals with many merchants.

• Ferguson, John.Bibliotheca Chemica. vol. 2, p. 10. (1906).
• Karpenko, Vladimír. "The Oldest Alchemical Manuscript in the Czech Language".Ambix 37, part 2 (July 1990): 61-73.
• Kopp, H.Die Alchemie in älterer und neuerer Zeit, vol. 1, p. 160. Olms: Hildesheim, 1971.
• Telle, Joachim. "Laaz, Johannes v." InLexikon des Mittelalters, vol. 5. Artemis & Winkler: München, Zürich: 1991.

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