GERMAN SURGEON, ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR DATED 1626

Watercolor and ink on paper, with a verse in German, depicting a surgeon in a colored dress, with ruff, sword, and spurs, brightly colored in red and gold. Dated, 1626.

Watercolor and ink on paper, with a verse in German, depicting a surgeon in a colored dress, with ruff, sword, and spurs, brightly colored in red and gold. Dated, 1626. 308 x 215 mm, framed. A few short tears, mounted on old stiff paper.

Skillful watercolor with verses from the early 17th century, depicting a surgeon, probably military: The verses, in German, are spoken by the surgeon, who claims, "[I help many a one through my art and my hand/ as city and land know well/ hence, let everyone honor me according to my rank. /Such [honor] distresses all the surgeons/ who - all of them envy me." He describes himself as having a secret art, "In his art so famous and good/ that no one can imitate him in it./ This he is keeping secret all this time, / as long as he may live; however, /as soon as he may die, he will, as a favor to you, reveal [it] to all surgeons./ So his praise will resound even more]."
("Ao. 1626. AEtalis(?) 32. // Ich Andres Wilhelm Wol bekand, / und sonst der Wilde baur genand / hilff manchem durch meine Kunst und Hand / wie solches wissen Stätt und Land, / drumb Ehr mich ieder nach meim stand / Solchs thut den wundärtzten sehr and(?) / Die mich fast neiden alle sand(?) / Gott bhüte sie und mich vor schand. // Niemand darff sich verwunden dran / daß hie steht ein heroische mann /Er ist der gantz weld bekand, / und wird der Wilde baur genand / In seiner Kunst so brühmt und gutt / das ihm solches keiner nach thut / die helt er alle Zeitt in gheim / So lang er Lebe, aber allein / So bald er stirbt, wil ers Zu gfaln / eröffnen den wundärtzten alln / So wird sein lob noch mehr erschaln.")