The Plague Doctor from Rome dissected

What is it about?

In the seventeenth century, the plague was viewed as a divine punishment. Resistance was futile, and in the eyes of a Nuremberg Protestant like Paulus Fürst, it was something only a Catholic could conceive. In his iconic Doctor Schnabel print, Fürst depicts a Roman doctor attempting to escape death through a ludicrous outfit, seeking to profit from the epidemic —like a scavenging raven. This does not mean that depictions of masked plague doctors are entirely fictional. However, we must recognize that they contain symbolic and satirical elements that are difficult to interpret today—especially when removed from their original context. The context of Doctor Schnabel, specifically, concerns the plague in Rome in 1656, with the symbolism addressing religious opposition.

Featured Image

Photo by Peter Kvetny on Unsplash

Photo by Peter Kvetny on Unsplash

Why is it important?

In 17th-century popular prints, a doctor is seldom just a doctor. Instead of being a documentary witness to a common phenomenon, they comment on moral, political, or religious issues. Neglecting such meanings inevitably generates misunderstandings that continue to influence present-day perceptions of early modern ideas about diseases, how they spread, and how they are combated. Secondly, there is the aspect of overgeneralisation. While Paulus Fürst’s print explicitly mentions that it concerns a Roman doctor in the year 1656, it is often used to illustrate protective equipment across a much larger part of Europe and over a much broader time span. But Eskimos don’t wear sombreros.

Perspectives