Reflection of disease symptomatology in artistic images on renaissance paintings as a form of information on the etiopathology of human diseases: sociological aspect

This article examines the interconnection between the fine arts and human anatomy as an element of sociocultural transmission (communication) of knowledge throughout the history of medicine, particularly in relation to anatomy. The art of Renaissance, mostly culture of portrait painting from a posed model, copying the image of a certain individual, can convey the naturopathic signs of his health state and diseases, i.e. medical data is actually part of the culture of society reflecting of health state in painting, Fine art in artistic images can convey to future generations data on the depicted person health status, signs of the presence of clinical manifestations of diseases that were captured in their image by the master’s brush, which may not yet have been established and understood by the healers of that time. Canvases of artists and portrait painting contain information about the etiopathology of human diseases. Specific examples of the reflection of particular disease signs on paintings are provided, illustrating how these artistic representations serve as a visual archive of medical knowledge and societal understanding of health conditions at the time. This scholarly discourse emphasizes the importance of recognizing art not merely as aesthetic expression but as a significant historical source of medical insight, offering a nuanced understanding of how health and disease were perceived in the context of Renaissance society.