Piskijker en boeren familie 1697

Nicolaes van Haeften created this etching, titled 'Piskijker en boeren familie', sometime between 1653 and 1715. The artwork invites us into a scene where a physician examines a vial of urine, surrounded by a concerned peasant family. During the 17th century, medical practices were deeply entwined with social hierarchies. Haeften situates the physician as a figure of knowledge and authority, set apart from the rural family seeking his expertise. The expressions and postures of the family members convey a sense of anxiety and hope, reflecting the vulnerability of those dependent on medical care. Notice the stark class divisions that are emphasized through clothing, and the setting of the scene. Haeften asks us to consider how social status influenced access to healthcare and shaped the dynamics between patients and practitioners. The emotional weight of the artwork lies in its portrayal of human vulnerability in the face of illness, and the inequalities that shape our experiences of health and healing.