This engraving represents the fourth and final stage of the physician's social standing: the moment he is perceived as a devil because he demands payment after the cure. The central figure possesses bat-like wings and talons, contrasting with the scholarly robes he wears and the medical volumes and surgical tools scattered at his feet. In the background, patients and their families look on with distress as the healer transforms from a savior into a creditor.
This print belongs to a satirical series illustrating the four perceptions of the doctor (as God, Angel, Man, and Devil), a common trope in early modern medical ethics and social critique. It reflects the complex relationship between the 'ars medica' (medical art) as a spiritual calling versus a commercial trade within the framework of natural philosophy.
Physician as DevilCacodaemonpatientsmedical attendantsbat wingshornssurgical shearsmedical volumesforceps48C51449G2
The Physician as Devil — Hendrick Goltzius — Source Library
AST EGO SI PENITUS IAM SANUM PRÆMIA POSCAM, ΥΒΡΙΣ ΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΠΛΗΓΗ CAUTIOR EXEMPLO TU DUM DOLET ACCIPE, NOSTRO,
ILLE DEUS PRIDEM MOX CACODAEMON ERO. ΑΝΤΙ ΣΩΣΤΡΩΝ QUI MEDICE EXERCES GNAVITER ARTIS OPUS.
Ich aber wurd auss GODT, fur ein TEUFFEL geacht, Mit schaden wurd ich gwitzt, ihr Artzet vnd Doctoren,
Die weil der kranck gefunt, und ich sprech vmb mein lohn, Wans folck, ACH ACH MIR saght, sag DA MIR als bald gelt,
Das hausz gfind auf mich murt, vnd werde gantz veracht, Als schmertz vnd pein ist weg, ist ehr vnd lohn verlohren:
Man gibt mir böse wort, vor gelt nur spott vnd hohn. So man vmb zalung spricht, ist man ein TEUFFELS helt,
Maer ick van eenen GOD, ben DUYVEL nu geworden, Word met mijn schade wijs, ghij Meesters en Doctoren;
Wanneer de sieckt is wech, ick spreke om mijn ghelt: Als het volck, AMI seght, segt, DAMI op dat pas:
Het heele huysghesin, doet op mij niet dan knorden: Want als de pijn is wech, is eer en loon verlooren.
Elck gheeft mij woorden quaet, voor loon die was bestelt: Diet volck van hebben spreeckt, is haer een DUYVEL ras.
4
Hugo Allardt Exc.
Translation
But if I, when fully healed, ask for my rewards,
As hubris and a blow, learn from my example while you are in pain,
Once a god, I shall soon be a demon. In return for the cure,
You who diligently exercise the work of the medical art.
I, however, who was once held as a GOD, am now considered a DEVIL,
Because the sick are healed, and I speak of my reward,
When the folk say "ACH ACH" to me, they soon say "DA MI" (give me money),
The house grumbles at me, and I become utterly despised:
I am made wise by my own loss, you physicians and doctors;
For when the pain and ache are gone, honor and reward are lost:
One gives me evil words, for money only mockery and scorn.
When one speaks of payment, one is a DEVIL'S hero,
But I, from a GOD, have now become a DEVIL,
Become wise by my own loss, you Masters and Doctors;
When the sickness is gone, I speak of my money:
As the folk say "AMI" (love me), they say "DAMI" (give me) at that moment:
The whole household does nothing but grumble at me:
For when the pain is gone, honor and reward are lost.
Each gives me bad words, for the reward that was promised:
The folk who speak of having, to them you are of the DEVIL'S race.
Connected Texts
Hendrick Goltzius
The artist was a central figure in Dutch Mannerism, often embedding complex moral and philosophical allegories into his print series.
