Johann Gelle: The four forms of the physician (1609)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Four engraving by the Dutch artist Johann Gelle (1580-1625). These four prints are a part of the set "The four forms of the physician" - 4 situations in which a physician is viewed differently:

- the physician as God: When a person is ill, a physician is considered a god who can heal everything.

- the physician as an angel: When a sick person is getting better, a physician is considered a saving angel.

- the physician as a human: When a sick person is almost completely healed, a physician is considered to be human being who people want to leave.

- the physician as a devil: When a sick person is completely healed, a physician is considered a money-hungry devil when he presents the bill.

Engravings from 1609.