Chirurgijn brandt een wond uit 1635 - 1692

Justus van den Nijpoort created this etching, titled “Chirurgijn brandt een wond uit,” which translates to "Surgeon cauterizing a wound," in the Dutch Republic during the 17th century. The image offers a glimpse into the world of early modern medicine, before the advent of germ theory, depicting a surgeon cauterizing a wound while another figure, likely a family member, provides comfort to the patient. Consider how the print, made during the Dutch Golden Age, serves as a social document, reflecting the era's understanding of health, hygiene, and medical practices. The presence of the home environment further speaks to the domestic nature of medicine at this time. It wasn’t yet centered in hospitals or large institutions. Historical sources, such as medical treatises, records from the Guild of Surgeons, and even personal letters from the period, can shed light on the social and institutional contexts that shaped this artwork. By studying these resources, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural norms, scientific beliefs, and power structures reflected in this image.