Portrait of an Elderly Physician

Gallery 352, European Art 1500-1850, third floor (ARCO Gallery)

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Portrait of an Elderly Physician

c. 1540

Attributed to Gaspare Pagani (Italian (active Modena), first documented 1521, died 1569)

This man is identified as a physician by the caduceus, or staff, in his hand. The caduceus became a symbol of the medical profession because of its association with Asclepius, a legendary Greek physician and god of healing. This example is decorated with an olive branch and two intertwined snakes.

Gallery 352, European Art 1500-1850, third floor (ARCO Gallery)

Object Details

Title:

Portrait of an Elderly Physician

Date:

c. 1540

Artist:

Attributed to Gaspare Pagani (Italian (active Modena), first documented 1521, died 1569)

Medium:

Oil on canvas

Dimensions:

26 1/2 x 21 3/4 inches (67.3 x 55.2 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

John G. Johnson Collection, 1917

Accession Number:

Cat. 253

Geography:

Possibly made in Italy, Europe

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Gallery 352, European Art 1500-1850, third floor (ARCO Gallery)

Main Building

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