Medical Art

“Children Playing At Doctors” was painted by Frederick Daniel Hardy in 1863. Many of his paintings depicted domestic scenes that were humorous in nature.  The children in the picture are seen playing distinct roles while their mother and grandmother are out of the house.  The painting is currently at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Go to painting

“The Gross Clinic”, sometimes known as the Clinic of Doctor Gross, was painted by Thomas Eakins in 1875.  The subject, Doctor Samuel D. Gross, is depicted performing an operation with other surgeons.  Thomas Eakins can also be seen in the audience to the right of the railing either sketching or writing.  The painting was rejected by the art jury for Centennial exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876 due to its subject matter. The painting is now at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Go to painting

“Visiting Day at the Hospital” was an 1889 painting by Henry Jules Jean Geoffroy.  The painter was reputed for his depictions of children in various settings.  He is also known for his illustrations in children's books where he signed his illustrations as "Geo". Visiting Day at the Hospital is one of his most notable works.  The painting is now at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

Go to painting

“A Research” was painted by Joaquin Sorolla in 1897. The painting was one of Sorolla's works that focused on the disciplines of art, science and technology. This painting, along with "Portrait of Dr Simarro at the Microscope", won the Prize of Honour at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts. The painting can be viewed at the Sorolla Museum.

Go to painting

“Portrait of a Nurse from the Red Cross” was painted by Gabriel Émile Édouard Nicolet circa 1914-15.  The painter is known for painting genre scenes, portraits, interiors and landscapes. While living in London he was a member of the Society of Portrait Painters. This particular portrait depicts a red-cross nurse knitting while sitting on a chair.

Go to painting

“Before the Operation”, also known as “Dr Péan Teaching His Discovery of the Compression of Blood Vessels at St Louis Hospital” was painted by Henri Gervex in 1887. This painting was regarded by some contemporary critics as a modern transposition of Rembrandt's Anatomy Lesson. The painting depicts Dr Péan lecturing beside the patient while assistants and observers surround them. This painting is currently at the Musée d'Orsay in France.  

“View of the Asylum and Chapel of Saint-Rémy” is an 1889 painting by Vincent Van Gogh.  The painting was thought to be a view of the church at Labbeville, near Auvers but it is now widely accepted as the view of the asylum and church at Saint-Rémy.  This painting is a part of a series he painted during his stay at the Saint-Paul asylum.  The painting was once a part of Elizabeth Taylor's collection.

Go to painting

“Christ among the Doctors” is a painting by Bernardino Luini circa 1515-30.  This painting was formerly ascribed to Leonardo Da Vinci because Luini often worked in the style of the famous painter. Jesus is at the center of the picture while the doctors are in the background looking at each other. The painting is currently located at The National Gallery in London.

Go to painting

“The First Attempt to Treat Cancer with X-Rays” was painted by Georges Chicotot in 1907. Georges Chicotot was a physician with credentials in both painting and radiology. He was the head of radiotherapy at the Hôpital Broca. His paintings were mostly based on anatomy which he also taught in the School of Practical Anatomy. The painting shows Dr. Georges Chicotot treating a patient while holding a watch to measure the time of exposure. This painting is now at Musée de l’Assistance Publique, Hopitaux de Paris.

Go to painting

"The Anatomy Lesson of Doctor Nicolaes Tulp" was a 1631 painting by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Rembrandt was new to Amsterdam when he was commissioned for this portrait, which was done so by some of the spectators included in the painting. The subject, Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, is depicted in the picture explaining the musculature of the arm. The painting is currently in Mauritshuis in The Hague.