Here are three examples that illustrate how the images in Artstor on JSTOR can be used to enhance the teaching and learning of medicine and medical history, along with two case studies, one by a medical librarian on the importance of art in medical education and another by the director of education at a university gallery about using digital images in a medical setting.

Pandemics and epidemics

The rapid rise of COVID-19 is a stark reminder that humanity is still dangerously susceptible to infectious diseases. Using Artstor on JSTOR, we explore the impact of pandemics and epidemics throughout history, as well as the ensuing developments in science and public health initiatives.

A procession of flagellants carrying a canopy and a statue of the Virgin Mary through a town. An engraving depicting a religious procession in a European city. The scene shows a large group of people in ceremonial robes and hoods, some carrying banners and religious artifacts, marching through the streets. Onlookers and participants kneel or prostrate themselves in prayer, while others engage in flagellation. The procession moves past a large Gothic church, with a crowd gathered in the background, and buildings lining the streets on both sides.
A procession of flagellants carrying a canopy and a statue of the Virgin Mary through a town. Pieter Tanjé. Etching, with engraving. Credit: Wellcome Collection; https://wellcomecollection.org/ CC BY 4.0.
A cover of the American Biology Teacher journal from University of California Press. A close-up image of pink spherical bacterial cells (likely Staphylococcus species) clustered together on a beige fibrous surface, resembling hair strands.
The American Biology Teacher. University of California Press on the behalf of National Association of Biology Teachers.
The cover of the book Epidemics and Society: From the Black Death to the Present by Frank M. Snowden. It features a dramatic illustration of the Grim Reaper wielding a scythe, symbolizing death sweeping over a battlefield filled with fallen soldiers. The background transitions from a pinkish-orange sky to muted tones, evoking a sense of desolation. The cover includes the quote "Brilliant and sobering." from Paul Kennedy of the Wall Street Journal and highlights "With a New Preface."
Epidemics and Society: From the Black Death to the Present. Frank M. Snowden. 2019. Yale University Press.

Thomas Eakins’ medical paintings and clinical fact

The controversial 19th-century painting genre of the operating theater, an arresting hybrid of fine art and the art of medicine, was exemplified by the work of American artist Thomas Eakins. An examination of some of the material details and differences between two of his masterpieces permits us to consider the most important developments in the field of surgery during the period.

This is an iconic painting depicting a surgical scene in an amphitheater. A group of medical professionals, dressed in white, surrounds a patient on an operating table. In the foreground, a senior doctor gestures with authority, possibly addressing the audience. The background features rows of onlookers, predominantly men, watching intently. The composition emphasizes the drama and significance of medical advancement in a historical context.
Thomas Eakins. The Agnew Clinic. 1889. University of Georgia Libraries.
A historical illustration of a 17th-century plague doctor. The figure is dressed in a long, red robe with gloves and black shoes. A wide-brimmed black hat sits atop the head, and the iconic beaked mask with round eye lenses covers the face. The doctor holds a long stick, used to maintain distance from patients. The image reflects the traditional protective attire worn during plague outbreaks, designed to prevent the transmission of disease.
A physician wearing a 17th-century plague preventive. 1910. Wellcome Collection.
A cover of The Revenge of Thomas Eakins by Sidney D. Kirkpatrick. Published in 2006 by Yale University Press.
Sidney D. Kirkpatrick. The Revenge of Thomas Eakins. 2006. Yale University Press.

The surprisingly painful origins of modern anesthesia

From the dangerous and highly unpredictable use of Mandrake in Greco-Roman medicine to the litigious commercial introduction of ether in the 19th century, anesthesia has had an ironically excruciating history, one amply recorded by artists through the ages.

Early Operation Using Ether for Anesthesia, late spring 1847. A historical photograph capturing a medical operation in progress. The scene features a group of male doctors, dressed in formal attire with dark coats and bow ties, gathered around a patient lying on a table. The patient appears to be sedated and covered with a white sheet, with part of their leg exposed. The surrounding area includes medical tools and equipment indicative of the era. The image conveys the early days of surgical procedures and the evolution of medical practices.
Southworth & Hawes. Early Operation Using Ether for Anesthesia. Late spring 1847. The J. Paul Getty Museum.
A 16th-century engraving depicting a medieval surgical procedure or a satirical representation of medical practices of the time. The artwork shows an older man, likely a barber-surgeon or healer, wearing a cap and fur-lined clothing, performing a procedure on a seated patient. The patient appears distressed, with a grimace and hand gestures suggesting discomfort. The scene includes modest surroundings, emphasizing the rudimentary nature of early medicine. The year "1524" is inscribed at the top, adding historical context to the image.
manier van prentmaker: Muller, Jan Harmensz. naar prent van: Leyden, Lucas van. De chirurgijn. 1581 - 1628. Rijksmuseum.
A detailed photograph of a historical statue in Public Gardens near Commonwealth Avenue entrance, Boston, MA, depicting a compassionate figure, likely a healer or doctor, cradling an unconscious or suffering individual. The statue is mounted on a column adorned with carved oak leaves, symbolizing strength and endurance. The figures are sculpted with intricate detail, emphasizing emotion and care. The background features lush green trees, adding a natural setting to this commemorative artwork, likely honoring medical advancements or humanitarian efforts.
John Quincy Adams Ward. The Ether Memorial; detail. 1867. ART on FILE: Contemporary Architecture, Urban Design and Public Art.

Case studies

Enhancing visual acuity in medical education through the arts

Joseph Costello, Medical Librarian, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

A medical librarian makes the case for why educators should integrate the humanities in comprehensive medical curricula.

A painting depicting a serene domestic scene. A woman sits upright in a modest metal-framed bed, facing away from the viewer. The room is sparsely furnished, with a bedside table holding bottles and a glass, and a wooden chair nearby. A maid enters through an open door, carrying a tray with a cup, wearing a black blouse and a white apron. The setting conveys a quiet moment of care and recovery, emphasizing simplicity and attentiveness in the late 19th-century environment.
Félix Vallotton, The sick patient (Helene Chatenay), 1892. Erich Lessing Culture and Fine Arts Archives/ART RESOURCE, N.Y. artres.com
A portrait of a young girl with rosy cheeks, a warm smile, and an expressive gaze. She wears a delicate white bonnet with ruffled edges tied with a blue ribbon, framing her face. Her dark garment contrasts with the soft tones of her skin and bonnet. The background is muted, emphasizing her lively expression and the subtle textures of her clothing and headwear. The painting captures a sense of innocence and charm characteristic of 18th-century portraiture.
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Head of a Young Girl in a Bonnet, 1760-68. SCALA, Florence/ART RESOURCE, N.Y., artres.com; scalarchives.com
A close-up view of a classical marble sculpture, portraying the anguished face of Laocoön, a figure from ancient mythology. His deeply furrowed brow, wide eyes, and open mouth convey intense emotion, likely pain or despair. The intricately carved, wavy beard and hair add to the dynamic expression of the piece. The sculpture captures a dramatic moment, showcasing the mastery of Roman or Hellenistic artistry in rendering human emotion and physical detail.
Head of Laocoon, c. 100. Foto Reali Archive, National Gallery of Art, Department of Image Collections.

Art at the Bedside: Research on the Healing Potential of the Visual Arts

Susan Dodge-Peters Daiss, McPherson Director of Education, Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester

An educator asks, “What if the energy encountering artwork in a museum could be transported to the bedside? What if the visual arts had the potential to bring more than decoration to medical settings? What if they could bring comfort—deep comfort—and maybe even more?”

A vibrant painting of a tree-lined avenue leading to a distant building, likely a manor or castle. The towering trees form an arch-like canopy, their intertwining branches creating a sense of depth and rhythm. The rich green hues of the foliage are accented with touches of blue and gold, characteristic of Gustav Klimt's style. The dappled light on the path and the intricate textures evoke a serene and enchanting atmosphere, guiding the viewer's eye toward the inviting structure at the end of the avenue.
Gustav Klimt, Avenue in Schloss Kammer Park, c. 1912. Österreichische Galerie Belvedere. Erich Lessing Culture and Fine Arts Archives/ART RESOURCE, N.Y artres.com
A serene painting of a blooming tree, likely a peach tree, standing gracefully in a lush, sunlit meadow. The delicate pink and white blossoms contrast with the vibrant green of the grass and surrounding foliage. Yellow wildflowers dot the meadow, adding splashes of warmth. The soft, impressionistic brushstrokes create a dreamy, tranquil atmosphere, capturing the beauty and renewal of spring. The background fades gently into a hazy sky, emphasizing the peaceful rural setting.
Childe Hassam. Peach Blossoms-Villiers-le-Bel, ca. 1887-89. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A delicate Japanese painting depicting a group of pigeons perched on a tree branch. The composition features soft, natural tones with intricate detailing of the birds' feathers and subtle textures of the branch and leaves. One white pigeon stands out among the muted browns and grays of the others, creating a gentle contrast. The background is minimal and light, focusing attention on the serene interaction between the birds. This traditional artwork exudes harmony and an appreciation for the quiet beauty of nature.
Watanabe Seitei, Pigeons in a Tree, 1868-1912. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.