The Doctor’s Visit (Lovesick)
1657 | Frans van Mieris d. Ä.
A young woman who is visibly suffering extends her hand to the doctor so that he can take her pulse. With a significant gesture he underscores his diagnosis: the young woman is lovesick, a theme frequently found in the Dutch literature and painting of the 17th century and usually presented in an ironic manner. The Artist’s wife was the model for the painting. Their marriage 1657 and the motto “amans amanti medicus” (“only love heals lovers”) provide the key to understanding the painting, which was executed in the same year.
A young woman who is visibly suffering extends her hand to the doctor so that he can take her pulse. With a significant gesture he underscores his diagnosis: the young woman is lovesick, a theme frequently found in the Dutch literature and painting of the 17th century and usually presented in an ironic manner. The Artist’s wife was the model for the painting. Their marriage 1657 and the motto “amans amanti medicus” (“only love heals lovers”) provide the key to understanding the painting, which was executed in the same year.
Artist:
Frans van Mieris d. Ä. (1635 - 1681 Leiden) DNB
Time:
1657
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Dutch
Material/technology:
copper gilded
Dimensions:
Overall: 33,8 cm × 26,8 cm × 0,1 cm
Framed: 50 cm × 42,5 cm × 3,7 cm
Signed
Inscribed at lower right: F. van Mieris Anno 1657
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 590
Provenance
Probably Adam Oortmans, Amsterdam, until 1684; 1684-1707 probably in the possession of his widow Petronella de la Court, Amsterdam (Inv. 1707, No 5); auction Zomer, 19. 10. 1707, n. 1); 1772 documented in the gallery;