The Enema 1627 - 1637

This print, "The Enema," was etched by Abraham Bosse in the 17th century. At its center, we find a man carrying a peculiar syringe-like object, an enema, towards a woman lying in bed. This instrument, once a common medical tool, speaks to the era's understanding of health and the body. The enema as a motif has traversed time. In ancient Egypt, we see evidence of its use, a testament to humanity's enduring quest for bodily purification. Yet, its depiction here carries a certain weight. The act, so intimate, becomes a public spectacle, laden with social and perhaps even humorous undertones. Consider the psychological implications: the vulnerability of the patient, the power dynamic between caregiver and the sick, and the societal attitudes toward illness and treatment. Bosse’s print serves as a mirror reflecting our evolving relationship with the body, health, and the rituals we perform in their name. The image offers a glimpse into the cyclical nature of human existence, where ancient practices resurface, adapted, and imbued with new meaning in each age.