Visiting the Sick (Visiter les malades) 1602 - 1676

Abraham Bosse created this print, ‘Visiting the Sick,’ reflecting 17th-century French life. The scene’s most poignant symbol is the act of visitation itself, deeply rooted in Christian charity. This motif of tending to the afflicted echoes through centuries, from medieval depictions of the Good Samaritan to Renaissance paintings of mercy. Consider the recurring image of the outstretched hand, a gesture of comfort and support. We see it in ancient Roman depictions of Concordia, symbolizing harmony and aid. It reappears in countless Christian artworks, often in scenes of healing or blessing. The act of offering solace speaks to our collective memory. Sickness and suffering touch primal fears and anxieties. By addressing these fears through compassion, Bosse's image engages the viewer on a subconscious level, reminding us of our shared humanity and the timeless need for empathy in the face of mortality. Like a recurring dream, the symbols of compassion endure, each era reshaping and reinterpreting them.