The Four Doctors

Abstract

The Four Doctors (1906) represented not only one of the best paintings of the noted artist John Singer Sargent (1856–1925) but a dominant change in the practice of American medicine of the day. The Four Doctors were the four distinguished founders of the Johns Hopkins Medical School: William Welch (1850–1934), William Osler (1849–1919), William Halsted (1852–1922) and Howard Kelly (1858–1943). The Four Doctors were the essence of the best medicine and surgery practiced in the United States. They were a new sophisticated group of medical professionals. They were the force behind significant developments in the medicine of America and the medicine of the world.

In preparing for this monumental canvas, Sargent brought the four founders to his studio in London. With careful attention to detail, the four professors, were depicted in their solemn academic gowns, with a Venetian globe and the El Greco replica of St. Martin and the Beggar forming a most impressive background. “We have got our picture,” the pleased master painter exclaimed.

With the completion of this remarkable work of art, the medical establishment was left with a clear and memorable example of the medical and surgical pioneers of modern American medicine.

KEYWORDS:

• The Four Doctors
• Sargent
• Hopkins
• history of medicine