The Ten Lepers are Cleansed c. 1576 - 1580

Léonard Gaultier created this print, "The Ten Lepers are Cleansed," sometime in the late 16th or early 17th century. It depicts a scene from the Gospel of Luke where Jesus heals ten lepers, yet only one returns to give thanks. The image operates within a specific cultural context. France during Gaultier’s time was deeply religious, and prints like these served as visual aids for biblical stories. Leprosy, a disease that causes lesions on the skin, was not only a medical condition but also a social stigma, leading to the isolation of those afflicted. The act of cleansing thus has deep social implications, gesturing at social alienation and inclusion. Prints like this one also tell us about the distribution of images at the time, and the way that biblical stories were disseminated among the masses. They are valuable resources to understand the social role of art in the early modern period, which scholars often consult to get a sense of the popular imagination.