Zwei Ärzte lassen einen Mann nach dem Essen auf einer Waage wiegen 1694

This pen and brown ink drawing, by Jan Luyken, captures a scene where two doctors weigh a man after he has eaten. Luyken, who lived during the Dutch Golden Age, was deeply influenced by the religious and social climate of his time. This piece invites us to consider the intersections of health, social status, and personal indulgence. The act of weighing a man after a meal isn't just a medical procedure; it's a commentary on the excesses of the wealthy and their preoccupation with health. The man on the scale, likely a member of the affluent class, is subjected to a public assessment of his post-meal weight, hinting at the anxieties around gluttony and physical well-being that were emerging in the 17th century. Luyken’s work often delved into moral and ethical questions, and here, the act of weighing becomes a symbolic gesture, scrutinizing not just physical weight but also moral standing. The drawing reflects a society grappling with new ideas about health, class, and personal responsibility.