De geneesheer als Christus. NL-HlmNHA 1477 53012638 by Hendrick Goltzius

A central figure of Christ with a halo examines a glass matula (urine flask) while holding an ointment jar. To his left, a family grieves around a bedridden patient, while the right side shows an apothecary or consultation room with figures preparing remedies. The foreground is filled with surgical instruments, open medical books, and a basket of glass vials.

This allegory illustrates the 'Divine Physician' concept, where the healer's success is attributed to divine grace, a central tenet in Paracelsian medicine and the 'Light of Nature' philosophy. It is part of a traditional series showing the four perceptions of a doctor: as a God when successful, an Angel when helping, a Man when working, and a Devil when asking for payment.

Inscriptions(Latin)

DUM NIGRIS ÆGRUM PROPE MORS CIRCUMVOLAT ALIS, FUNESTAMQ; ACIEM IAM FERA IAMQ; PARAT. O ΘΕΟΣ TUM MI PROMISSIS BEAT ET DOMUS OMNIS ADORAT, TUM VOCAT IMMENSUM ME VENERATA DEUM. Wanneer een huisvoogd word van ziektens overvallen, Straks is het huisgezin geheel in rep en roer; Elk zucht en kermt en klaagt, maar niemand van hen allen Weet raad, maar wenscht terstond een docktor op den vloer: Die straks op hun verzoek komt vlijtig aangetreden: Dit troost het treurig volk in hun bedroeft geval; Hy word gelyk een God van jeder aangebeden, Op hoop dat hy int kort den zieken helpen zal. Ach! roepen zy om stryd, kost gy de kwale stelpen, Van deeze: t is voor u wat ons den Hemel gaf: Want t is een Godlyk werk zyn even mensch te helpen, Bewaar is 't moogelyk deez' kranken voor het graf. Wan sich der krancke Mensch, in grösser schwachheit fint So wurd ich als ein GODT, geehret vnd gebetten. Ein jeder stehet vor mich, mit g'blöstem haubt geschwind: Ach Meyster hilf vns doch, vnd kum zu vns eintretten. Spaar doch kein kost an ihn, wir werden wol bezalen, Hilf nur den krancken auf, der sunst doch sterben muss, Preiss, lob vnd ehr wurd ihr, vor euwer ghulff hie holen; Der mensch ist wol ein GODT, der ihn bald hilft zu fuss. Jan van Vianen fecit. 't Amsterdam by JOANNIS LOOTZ Kaartverkooper in de Nieuwebrugsteegh met Privilegie.

Translation

WHILE DEATH FLIES NEAR THE SICK ON BLACK WINGS,
AND READIES A DEADLY BATTLE-LINE, NOW THIS, NOW THAT.

O GOD

THEN HE BLESSES ME WITH PROMISES AND THE WHOLE HOUSE WORSHIPS,
THEN THE VENERATED ONE CALLS ME AN IMMENSE GOD.

When a house-warden is beset by sickness,
Soon the household is in total commotion;
Each sighs and groans and laments, but none of them all
Knows counsel, but wishes at once for a doctor on the floor:
Who soon at their request comes diligently stepping along:
This comforts the sad folk in their sorrowful case;
He is worshipped like a God by everyone,
In the hope that he will shortly help the sick.
Ah! they cry in competition, could you still the ailment,
Of this one: it is for you what Heaven gave us:
For it is a Godly work to help one's fellow man,
Save if it be possible this sick one from the grave.

When the sick person finds himself in great weakness,
So I am honored and prayed to as a GOD.
Everyone stands before me, quickly with bared head:
Ah Master help us though, and come to enter into our house.
Spare no cost for him, we will surely pay,
Just help the sick one up, who must otherwise die,
Praise, honor and glory would be yours, for your help gained here;
The man is indeed a GOD, who helps him quickly to his feet.

Jan van Vianen fecit.
Amsterdam by JOANNIS LOOTZ Map-seller in the Nieuwebrugsteegh with Privilege.

De geneesheer als Christus. NL-HlmNHA 1477 53012638

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