The Physician as God by Hendrick Goltzius

A central figure resembling a divine being stands in a scholar's study, holding aloft a matula (urine flask) and a lidded medicinal vessel. To the left, a family huddles in grief around a sickbed as a physician enters, while the foreground is crowded with heavy medical folios, a mortar and pestle, and surgical tools. The scene captures the moment of terminal illness when a doctor is viewed by the desperate family with the reverence afforded to a god.

This print is the first of a four-part series by Goltzius illustrating the changing social status of the healer: God, Angel, Man, and Devil. It reflects the early modern concept of the 'Medicus Christianus' and the Paracelsian view of the physician as a 'minister of nature' who operates through divine grace.

Inscriptions(Latin)

Egb. de Paendren Ioa, Gelle sculp. Robb. de Baud. Excudebat. 1609. O ΘΕΟΣ DUM NIGRIS EGRUM PROPE MORS CIRCUMVOLAT ALIS, FUNESTAMQ: ACIEM IAM FERA IAMQ: PARAT. TUM MI PROMISSIS BEAT ET DOMUS OMNIS ADORAT, TUM VOCAT IMMENSUM ME VENERATA DEUM. Wan sich der krancke Mensch, in grosser schwacheit fint So wurd ich als ein GODT, geehret vnd gebetten. Ein ieder stehet vor mich, mit g'bloistem haubt geschwind Ach Meyster hilf vns doch, vnd kum zu vns eintretten. Wanneer de crancke is, in sijnen grootsten noot, Soo word ick als een GODT geeert en gebeden: Een yder staet voor mij, dan met den hoofde bloot: Tis Meester, tis mijn Heer, Och wilt ons helpen heden! Spaar doch kein kost an ihn, wir werdens wol bezahlen, Hilf nur den krancken auf, der sunst doch sterben muss, Preiss, lob vnd ehr wird ihr, vor euwer ghulff hie holen; Der mensch ist wol ein GODT, der ihn bald hilfft zu fuss. En siet geen costen aen: wij sullent wel betalen: Helpt maer den crancken op, die anders sterven moet. Ghij sultet loon end eer, voor u ghenesen halen: De mensch is eenen GODT, die menschen hulpe doet!

Translation

Egb. de Paendren
Ioa, Gelle sculp.
Robb. de Baud.
Excudebat.
1609.

GOD

While death circles near the sick man on black wings,
And now, savage, prepares its fatal blade,
Then he blesses me with promises and the whole house adores me,
Then, venerated, he calls me an immense god.

When the sick person finds himself in great weakness,
Then I am honored and prayed to as a GOD.
Everyone stands before me quickly with bared head,
Ah Master, help us, and come to enter our home.

When the sick man is in his greatest need,
Then I am honored and prayed to as a GOD;
Everyone stands before me then with head uncovered:
It is Master, it is my Lord, Oh, please help us today!

Spare no expense on him, we will pay it well,
Just help the sick man up, who otherwise must die,
Praise, honor, and glory will be yours, for your help brought here;
The man who helps him to his feet quickly is indeed a GOD.

And look not at the costs: we will pay it well:
Just help the sick man up, who otherwise must die.
You shall receive reward and honor for your healing:
The man who gives human help is a GOD!

The Physician as God

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