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Depicting Gouty Arthritis at the Royal Court of Spain the Case of Pablo De Valladolid (1587–1648), the Jester of King Philip IV
13 Pages Posted: 23 Jan 2025
More...Abstract
BackgroundA case of probable gouty arthritis in two paintings of Pablo de Valladolid ("Pablillos") (? 1587–1648), actor and jester at the court of King Philip IV of Spain. Both were painted by Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez (1599–1660).MethodsThis analysis employed the Guidelines for Iconodiagnosis. Medical and historical analysis on the alimentary regimen at the Royal Spanish court in the 17th centuries was investigated. Results: Gouty tophi were identified on the left hand of the sitter in two different portraits painted 5 years apart (ca. 1630 and1635).Discussion and conclusionThe type of diet predominant in the court of Spain in the 17th century was essentially based on consumption of large quantities of meat and wine. Pablo de Valladolid, and later his two children, lived most of their lives based on a diet of animal proteins, which is known to favour the upsurgence of gout. The careful analysis of the two paintings by Velázquez suggests a retrospective diagnosis of probable chronic gouty arthritis. Whether Pablo de Valladolid died from gout is unknown.
Keywords: Chronic tophaceous gout, Art and Medicine, 17th century Spain
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