Uroscopy: Gentile da Foligno

A woodcut from the workshop of Michel Wolgemut depicting a physician practicing Uroscopy, or, the study of urine. Uroscopy is dated back to Babylonia, and the color of one’s urine was believed to not only tell you the health of the patient, but also the sexual history, medical conditions, and the likelihood of impending death. Aside from the color: consistency, fluidity, movement, and how it “passes” from you were also key factors in your diagnosis. They believed clear urine meant you had a disease of the brain. Many charts from this time period that were used for reference by these doctors sometimes had 20+ colors and hues to pick from in order to avoid misdiagnosing a patient. This one is of Gentile da Foligno, an Italian doctor trained in Padua and Bologna.

Details:

• 4 x 5.25" in size
• block printed
• your package includes an artist card that describes the history of the work of art you received