A central monstrous figure with bat-like wings and horns gestures toward a background scene depicting a physician visiting a household. In the foreground, surgical instruments including scissors, forceps, and apothecary jars lie scattered on the floor. The engraving satirically illustrates the final stage of a patient's perception, where the doctor is viewed as a demon once the patient has recovered and payment is requested.
This print is the final part of a four-part series by Hendrick Goltzius based on a 16th-century epigram by Euricius Cordus. It reflects early modern social tensions regarding the professionalization of medicine and the moral standing of the physician within the framework of natural philosophy, illustrating how the 'healer' transitions through four archetypal states: God, Angel, Man, and Devil.
AST EGO SI PENITUS IAM SANUM PRÆMIA POSCAM,
ILLE DEUS PRIDEM MOX CACODÆMON ERO.
ΥΒΡΙΣ ΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΠΛΗΓΗ
ΑΝΤΙ ΣΩΣΤΡΩΝ
CAUTIOR EXEMPLO TU DUMDOLET ACCIPE, NOSTO,
QUI MEDICÆ EXERCES GNAVITER ARTIS OPUS.
Ich aber wurd aufs GODT, fur ein TEUFFEL geacht,
Die weil der kranck gesunt, und ich sprech umb mein lohn,
Das hausz gsind auf mich murt, und werde gantz veracht,
Man gibt mir böse wort, vor gelt nur spott und hohn.
Mit schaden wurd ich gwitzt, ihr Artzet und Doctoren,
Wans folck, ACH ACH MIR saght, sag DA MIR als bald gelt,
Als schmertz und pein ist weg, ist ehr und lohn verlohren:
So man umb zalung spricht, ist man ein TEUFFELS helt.
Maer ick van eenen GOD, ben DUYVEL nu geworden,
Wanneer de sieckt is wech, ick spreke om mijn ghelt:
Het heele huysghesin, doet op mij niet dan knorden:
Elck gheeft mij woorden quaet, voor loon die was bestelt.
Word met mijn schade wijs, ghy Meesters en Doctoren;
Als het volck, AMY seght, segt, DA MI, op dat pas:
Want als de pijn is wech, is eer en loon verlooren.
Diet volck van hebben spreeckt, is haer een DUYVEL ras.
Translation
BUT IF I, NOW FULLY HEALED, DEMAND MY REWARD,
I WHO WAS LATELY A GOD SHALL SOON BE A DEMON.
HUBRIS AND A BLOW
INSTEAD OF A SAVING-OFFERING
BE MORE CAUTIOUS BY MY EXAMPLE, YOU WHO FEEL THE PAIN, LEARN THIS,
YOU WHO DILIGENTLY EXERCISE THE WORK OF THE MEDICAL ART.
I, however, who was considered a GOD, am now thought a DEVIL,
Because the sick one is healthy, and I speak of my reward;
The household grumbles at me, and I become utterly despised,
They give me evil words, and for money, only mockery and scorn.
Learn by my misfortune, you physicians and doctors,
When the folk say "ALAS, ALAS FOR ME," say "GIVE ME [PAYMENT]" at once,
For when the pain is gone, honor and reward are lost:
When one speaks of payment, one is a hero of the DEVIL.
But I, from a GOD, have now become a DEVIL,
When the sickness is gone, I speak of my money:
The whole household does nothing but grumble at me:
Everyone gives me bad words, instead of the reward that was promised.
Become wise through my misfortune, you Masters and Doctors;
When the folk say "ALAS," say "GIVE ME," at that moment:
For when the pain is gone, honor and reward are lost.
Whoever speaks of having [payment] is to them a race of DEVILS.
Connected Texts
Euricius Cordus
The engraving is a visual interpretation of Cordus's famous epigram 'De quattuor habitibus medici', which describes the four perceptions of a physician.
