[Artworks from medieval and early-modern hospitals in The Netherlands]

In the Middle Ages and early modern times, hospitals were omnipresent in Western Europe, including the area within the current borders of the Netherlands. It is not generally known that these institutions not only left an architectural heritage, but also an interesting art patrimony. This article describes this patrimony, which consists of 71 works of art. Christian-religious themes predominate, related to the fact that in these institutions spiritual care was more important than bodily care. This is illustrated on the basis of a few concrete examples, in which the relationship with the hospital often remains implicit, but sometimes is visualized explicitly. Although the world of thought from which these works of art emerged is far removed from that of the 21st century, they form an interesting mirror for modern visions of the function of art in hospitals.