De slapende boer van Stolwijk, 1707 1707

Carel Allard produced this etching, "The Sleeping Farmer of Stolwijk," in the Netherlands in 1707. It's a busy scene, but its main subject is the medical treatment of a sleeping farmer. What makes this image so fascinating is how it satirizes the medical practices of the time. Surrounding the bed are figures who represent various approaches to medicine, some seemingly more harmful than helpful. The text beneath the image further clarifies Allard's critique, lambasting the perceived quackery and the exploitation of the vulnerable. This artwork provides valuable insight into the social attitudes toward medicine in the early 18th-century Netherlands. By examining medical texts, pamphlets, and other visual sources from this period, we can better understand the context in which Allard created this piece and the specific debates it engages. The image suggests a skepticism toward institutional authority and a defense of common sense.