Mannen verzorgen zieke met kruiden 1722

Willem de Broen created this print, *Mannen verzorgen zieke met kruiden*, sometime between 1686 and 1748 using etching. It visualizes societal attitudes and healthcare practices of the Dutch Golden Age, which was a time of significant advancements in medicine, coupled with entrenched social hierarchies. The image depicts a sick man being attended to with herbs, a common medicinal practice then. Surrounding him, learned men examine plants, which underscores the era's dependence on botanical knowledge for healing. But notice the patient's languid pose and pallor; there's an undeniable vulnerability in his state. The men are fully dressed, whilst the patient is almost naked, marking a clear distinction between the caretaker and the cared for. The presence of these figures offers insight into the roles and expectations dictated by class and gender within the healthcare system of the time. De Broen's etching prompts us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in medical care, reminding us that healthcare, then as now, is deeply embedded in social, cultural, and personal narratives.