The Physician as Angel by Hendrick Goltzius

A central figure with large feathered wings holds a glass uroscopy flask and looks back toward a sickroom where a patient lies in a curtained bed. On the floor are scattered medical instruments, surgical tools, and heavy bound volumes, while additional scenes in the background show the physician attending to various stages of patient care. The composition illustrates the moment of recovery when a patient views their healer as a divine messenger.

Part of a four-part series illustrating the changing perception of the doctor, this work reflects the Renaissance 'iatros-philanthropos' ideal and the Neoplatonic belief that the physician is an instrument of divine grace. The Greek inscription 'The Hand of God' underscores the Hermetic and natural philosophical idea that the healer mediates between the celestial and terrestrial realms.

Inscriptions(Latin)

PAULUM UBI CONVALUIT; PAULUM DE NUMINE NOSTRO CESSIT, ET IN NOSTRIS AURIBUS ISTA SONANT: TU CŒLO NOBIS DEMISSUS ES ANGELUS ALTO, PRÆMIA QUÆ VESTRI ET QUANTA LABORIS ERUNT? Η ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΧΕΙΡ. Vnd wan die kranckheit fieh, vnd schmertz zu bessern pflegen, Nachdem ihr hie ins hauss, ghekommen seyt aufs gunst, Auch dan furgieht mein lob: Meister sagen sie dann, So nimbt er tagleich zu, in gluntheit ohne sorghen, Gleich einen ENGEL GODTS, verdient ihr grossen seghen, Vor seine heilung wir, nit, mehr vns forchten lunst, Vns gsund durch euwer hulf, frolockt fur yderman, Es ist eins ENGELS werck, z'heilen kranckheit verborgen. Als nu de sieckt en pijn, beginnen wat te dalen, De crancke naer dat ghij, in huijs hier zijt ghecomē, Daelt mijne eere oock; O Meester, seggen sij Neemt alle daghe toe; de saecke ghaet seer wel. Als eenen ENGEL Godts, verdrijft ghij onse qualen; Voor sijn ghenesyngh wij, niet meer en dervē schromē, Dit huijs door uwe hulp, nu levet end' is blij, Als eenes ENGELS werck, te weeren swaer ghequel.

Translation

A little when he recovered; a little he yielded to our divinity,
And in our ears these things resound:
You were sent down to us from high heaven as an angel,
What will the rewards of your labor be, and how great?

THE HAND OF GOD.

And when sickness and pain are accustomed to improve,
After you have come here into the house by favor,
Then my praise also goes forth: "Master," they say then,
"He increases daily, in health without worries,"
Like an ANGEL OF GOD, you deserve great blessings,
For his healing we no longer need to fear,
Us healthy through your help, rejoicing before everyone,
It is an ANGEL'S work, to heal hidden sickness.

When now the sickness and pain begin to diminish,
The sick one, after you have come here into the house,
My praise also descends; "O Master," they say,
"He improves every day; the matter goes very well."
As an ANGEL of God, you drive away our torments;
For his recovery we no longer need to tremble,
This house through your help, now lives and is happy,
As an ANGEL'S work, to ward off heavy torment.

The Physician as Angel

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