Portret van François Mauriceau 1691

Etienne Picart created this portrait of François Mauriceau using engraving techniques. This print provides a glimpse into the world of 17th-century French medicine and its representation of masculinity and professional identity. Mauriceau, a master of arts and an esteemed master of the Parisian Society of Surgeons, is depicted in a style that reflects his status. The flowing wig and cravat are symbols of affluence, conforming to the era’s ideals of male authority and success. These sartorial choices speak volumes about the performance of masculinity expected of professionals like Mauriceau. Consider how the image projects an aura of learnedness and control, crucial for a male figure in the medical field. It invites reflection on how gender and class shaped the historical perception and practice of medicine.