Erasistratus bemerkt dat Stratonice invloed heeft op de zieke Prins Antiochus 1787

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print, "Erasistratus bemerkt dat Stratonice invloed heeft op de zieke Prins Antiochus," sometime in the late 18th century. Chodowiecki lived during the Enlightenment, a period defined by a focus on reason, science, and individualism. He was known for his detailed and moralizing prints, often reflecting contemporary social issues and values. Here, we see a scene of diagnosis, desire, and power. A doctor, Erasistratus, observes Prince Antiochus, whose illness is revealed to be lovesickness for his stepmother, Stratonice. Notice how the image captures a moment of veiled emotion and unspoken truth, reflecting the complex dynamics within royal families. The story is a classical one, but Chodowiecki’s interpretation invites us to consider the emotional and psychological dimensions of love and duty. Ultimately, this print reminds us that even in the age of reason, human emotions remain a powerful and sometimes disruptive force.