Geneeskunde en recht 1766 - 1788

Johann Esaias Nilson created this print titled 'Geneeskunde en recht' which translates to 'Medicine and Law', at an unknown date. Nilson's print offers us a glimpse into the 18th century's understanding of these two pillars of society. We see in the upper scene 'La Medicine' a physician attending to a noblewoman, while a skeleton stands guard in the background, a stark reminder of mortality. Down below, 'Le Droit' depicts a legal scene, perhaps a trial, with its own set of social dynamics on display. Consider Nilson's position as an artist in a time of great social change. What commentary might he be making about the roles of medicine and law in maintaining or challenging the status quo? How do these scenes reflect the gendered roles within these professions, and in society at large? The emotional weight of these scenes is palpable, from the vulnerability of the patient to the tension of the courtroom. Nilson’s artwork invites us to consider how medicine and law shape our lives, then and now.