Bladzijde met de plaatsen op het menselijk lichaam om te aderlaten, 1712 1712

Curator: Let’s consider this engraving from 1712, titled "Bladzijde met de plaatsen op het menselijk lichaam om te aderlaten," meaning “Page with the places on the human body to be bled." What do you think? Editor: Well, it seems very clinical. The figure in the center is surrounded by zodiac signs and indications of where to…bleed. It has this otherworldly feel, as if healing was less science and more magic back then. How do you read into it? Curator: Indeed! Let's see this through the lens of power dynamics of that era. Who held medical knowledge? How was that knowledge disseminated, and who had access? Look at how this print visualizes the body not as an individual entity but as connected to larger cosmic forces, with astrology dictating medical practices. How might this have affected a patient’s sense of agency, especially marginalized communities? Editor: That is fascinating! It looks like it puts the power of one's health literally "in the stars," which most people wouldn't understand, giving more power to healers. I'm curious, does the gender of the central figure matter? Curator: Absolutely. Think about how representations of the body, especially the female body, were often used to reinforce societal norms. Does the ambiguous or androgynous figure here challenge or reiterate conventional thinking? Considering women's healthcare throughout history can shed light on what sort of power structures are being reinforced or resisted within the piece. What does this tell us about the agency afforded to individuals in taking control of their own bodies? Editor: Wow, I hadn’t even considered that, I now see that beyond its surface this work engages critical topics like power, gender and medicine. Thanks so much! Curator: Of course! This exploration is only just scratching the surface and further research is crucial in understanding the nuances present within it.