De arts als duivel 1587

Hendrick Goltzius created this engraving, "The doctor as devil", sometime around 1600. It presents a winged and horned figure, looming over scenes of medical practice. This work invites us to consider the role of medicine and its practitioners in society, through the lens of social critique. Made in the Netherlands, during a period of significant social and religious upheaval, the image challenges the viewer to think about the relationship between healing and harm. On the left, we see a doctor attending to a patient, while to the right, the same doctor seems to be receiving payment for his services. Goltzius uses the figure of the devil to suggest that the pursuit of profit can corrupt the practice of medicine. To understand this image fully, we might consider the rise of medical institutions in the 17th century, such as hospitals and universities. By examining these institutional histories, as well as the social and economic conditions of the time, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complex message Goltzius is conveying.