I love this! I wrote a piece about cancer in the Louvre. Astounds me that more museums do not include “health and disease” as a category in a similar way that they do dogs or Christ or shoes or whatever
Thanks Stacy. I would like to write a short book about the diagnosis of illnesses and deaths in paintings. I am sharing with you a post I made about the Mona Lisa on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DCj5AUkIeJT/?img_index=1
This is fantastic - I also dove into the representation of breast cancer in art in my latest post (https://theneurologistsgallery.substack.com/p/from-marble-to-flesh), it's such a fascinating topic and always interesting to see the intersection between medicine and art!!
I'm sorry, but none of these paintings represent what you describe.
Starting with the first one, I don't know if the author is male or female. I assume male, but women's breasts are asymmetrical.
Not only breasts, but also the right side of the body diverges from the left due to small asymmetries. One example is the difference between the eyes and upper eyelids.
All of the paintings depict light effects, but the most striking example is Michele Tosini's painting, in which the left breast is portrayed frontally, which is why it differs from the right breast.
Anyone running an art page should have a minimum knowledge of shadow theory, perspective, and orthogonal projections.
I am not a doctor, however, I have relied on numerous medical studies that have been done and which are serious. Obviously, it is impossible to be certain, but the paintings in the example clearly show signs that may be related to symptoms of cancer. The goal is to raise awareness on the subject. I invite you to look at the sources; I imagine you should know much more on your own.
This has nothing to do with sources. It is a methodological fallacy; the article falls into the classic fallacy of retroactive diagnosis. In other words, you are attempting to apply modern medical knowledge to ancient works of art by interpreting stylistic choices and artistic conventions as clinical symptoms. While this approach is fascinating, it is also extremely risky if you do not first consider the simplest and most contextually relevant explanations related to the work's context, applied artistic techniques, style, etc.
The result is an article that is noble in intent but lacks focus in its analysis.
Yes, my way of thinking is of someone who has a master's degree in architecture and knows the history of fine arts and even painting techniques, as well as having a good foundation in technical drawing.
So it may be strange to those who do not have a solid analytical and methodological study base.
Loved this piece, it’s perfectly timed considering it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and made such smart connections between art and the issue. So good. 😊 Thanks. 🙏🏽
Wonderful info, that brutal surgery is hardcore tho.
Btw, I think those women painting need some elastic and breathable bra -mostly made from cotton, viscose, and natural material fibre. Seriously, super comfy, trendy and pretty ladiessss 💅✨
I wonder about their feet as much as about the possible breast issues. In several paintings the big toe is clearly pointing slightly away from the remaining toes (which are very much pointing in the other direction). What could have caused this deformity? Also, the paintings by the Italian artists (like the Night) feature bodies which in my eyes are clearly male, despite the breasts and feminine facial features. Another fascinating story in there.
This is absolutely fascinating and well written out. 💕
Thank You Fialka
I love this! I wrote a piece about cancer in the Louvre. Astounds me that more museums do not include “health and disease” as a category in a similar way that they do dogs or Christ or shoes or whatever
Thanks Stacy. I would like to write a short book about the diagnosis of illnesses and deaths in paintings. I am sharing with you a post I made about the Mona Lisa on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DCj5AUkIeJT/?img_index=1
I would love to be a part of that project! Elaine Sciolino’s recent book and a trip to the Whitney motivated me. Let me know if you decide to proceed!
Thanks Stacy! I already have three book projects in progress, but I'm looking forward to it!
The Munch museum in Oslo recently had an interesting exhibition called Lifeblood / about sickness and health ; https://www.munch.no/en/exhibitions/archive/2025/lifeblood-edvard-munch/
Ooooo! I’m checking it out now!
Blew my mind out of its skull! Fascinating how simple and beautiful things can connect all because someone was following a trend!
❤️
Did anyone spot scoliosis in the middle woman of the Graces?
I don't know
This is fantastic - I also dove into the representation of breast cancer in art in my latest post (https://theneurologistsgallery.substack.com/p/from-marble-to-flesh), it's such a fascinating topic and always interesting to see the intersection between medicine and art!!
Lovely Tatiana
I'm sorry, but none of these paintings represent what you describe.
Starting with the first one, I don't know if the author is male or female. I assume male, but women's breasts are asymmetrical.
Not only breasts, but also the right side of the body diverges from the left due to small asymmetries. One example is the difference between the eyes and upper eyelids.
All of the paintings depict light effects, but the most striking example is Michele Tosini's painting, in which the left breast is portrayed frontally, which is why it differs from the right breast.
Anyone running an art page should have a minimum knowledge of shadow theory, perspective, and orthogonal projections.
I am not a doctor, however, I have relied on numerous medical studies that have been done and which are serious. Obviously, it is impossible to be certain, but the paintings in the example clearly show signs that may be related to symptoms of cancer. The goal is to raise awareness on the subject. I invite you to look at the sources; I imagine you should know much more on your own.
This has nothing to do with sources. It is a methodological fallacy; the article falls into the classic fallacy of retroactive diagnosis. In other words, you are attempting to apply modern medical knowledge to ancient works of art by interpreting stylistic choices and artistic conventions as clinical symptoms. While this approach is fascinating, it is also extremely risky if you do not first consider the simplest and most contextually relevant explanations related to the work's context, applied artistic techniques, style, etc.
The result is an article that is noble in intent but lacks focus in its analysis.
Your way of thinking is very, very strange.
Yes, my way of thinking is of someone who has a master's degree in architecture and knows the history of fine arts and even painting techniques, as well as having a good foundation in technical drawing.
So it may be strange to those who do not have a solid analytical and methodological study base.
Sorry Master.
👋
Loved this piece, it’s perfectly timed considering it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and made such smart connections between art and the issue. So good. 😊 Thanks. 🙏🏽
Thanks
Very interesting and as a survivor I thank you for sharing and elevating awareness. The research here is super thoughtful and easy to digest too.
Yes, the most important thing is to talk about it because it doesn't happen to others.
Very cool! And informative.
Thanks !
Your piece is full of quotes but with no links as to where those quotes come from. Would you be able to link to sources?
Hi Fiona, I've added the sources to the article. I'll add them later because otherwise the article would be too long to send by email.
cool thanks!
Wonderful info, that brutal surgery is hardcore tho.
Btw, I think those women painting need some elastic and breathable bra -mostly made from cotton, viscose, and natural material fibre. Seriously, super comfy, trendy and pretty ladiessss 💅✨
❤️
Very cool. I never would have seen this in a painting although I am a retired oncology nurse
Thanks Kathe
I'm a BC survivor and I spotted several signs I missed here. Thanks for the research and sharing.
Thanks Miranda
Thanks for an original, well written piece. This was so fun to read.
Thanks Amanda
This is fascinating, a great read
Thanks Susie
I wonder about their feet as much as about the possible breast issues. In several paintings the big toe is clearly pointing slightly away from the remaining toes (which are very much pointing in the other direction). What could have caused this deformity? Also, the paintings by the Italian artists (like the Night) feature bodies which in my eyes are clearly male, despite the breasts and feminine facial features. Another fascinating story in there.
Thanks