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Did Rubens' Delilah have Mondor's disease?
Burton King1, Amy Shortis, Ashleigh-Jean King
1The Breast Centre, Wellington, New Zealand. burtonking@thebreastcentre.org.nz
ANZ Journal of Surgery
|December 4, 2012
Summary
Art historical analysis revealed breast abnormalities in a Rubens model, potentially indicating Mondor's disease. These findings highlight the importance of investigating visible breast changes, even in historical contexts.
Area of Science:
- Art History
- Medical Humanities
- Radiology
Background:
- Analysis of paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, a prominent European Baroque artist, revealed apparent right-sided breast abnormalities in a female model.
- The model was depicted in iconic works such as "Samson and Delilah" and "The Three Graces."
Discussion:
- Persistent changes observed in the images suggest a potential diagnosis of Mondor's disease.
- The clinical scenario points towards possible associations with rheumatoid arthritis or chronic infection as underlying causes.
Key Insights:
- Visible breast abnormalities, including distortion and skin retraction, were identified.
- Nipple deviation was also noted as a significant finding.
Outlook:
- These visible breast changes necessitate medical concern and further investigation.
- The study underscores the intersection of art, history, and medical diagnosis.
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