Oxford Brookes Centre For Health, Medicine And Society Podcasts

The Doctor by Luke Fildes, first exhibited over a century ago, is a popular masterpiece and an icon of medical art. The artist was inspired by the devoted care of a doctor who looked after his young son during a fatal illness some years before. The presentation will explore the historical context of the scene portrayed: an imposing male doctor observes the ‘crisis’ of a child’s illness as dawn breaks in a humble cottage. Consideration will be given to: The artist: a Victorian success story; How the picture was commissioned and painted; Whether the scene portrays myth or reality including consideration of: The child: her likely illness and prognosis, The family: social circumstances and access to medical care, The physician: his training, employment circumstances and clinical methods. Did he arrive by horse, carriage, bicycle or even motor car?, The treatment: the possible contents of the medicine bottle and their efficacy. The picture in the context of other portrayals of doctors and chil