The Four Guises of the Doctor, anonymous, Northern Netherlands, 1st quarter, 17th century InvP00811-14

We find the theme of the Four Guises of the Doctor for the first time in a series of engravings published in 1586 by Hendrik Goltzius. The four-part cycle is an allegory on the status of the doctor in the eyes of his patient. For the seriously ill patient the doctor was equivalent to Our Lord, the only one who could save him from death. When the doctor does his healing work he is a rescuing angel. For the nearly recovered patient the doctor has descended to the status of an ordinary mortal. And when the physician presents his bills his ex-patient sees him as the devil incarnate.The unknown painter of these panels took his inspiration directly from Goltzius' prints. A striking feature, however, is the accurate representation of the surgical instruments. The artist was obviously well acquainted with the surgeon's trade.