The Portrayal of the Nursing Profession in World-Famous Paintings

Lei Wang; Xiaowei Chang; Yaru Lv; Juan Wang; Jianwen Yang; Chunming Zhang

doi:10.1097/HNP.0000000000000703

The Portrayal of the Nursing Profession in World-Famous Paintings

Holist Nurs Pract. 2025 Jan 28. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000703. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lei Wang¹, Xiaowei Chang, Yaru Lv, Juan Wang, Jianwen Yang, Chunming Zhang

Affiliation

¹ Author Affiliations: College of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China (Dr L. Wang and Ms Yaru); Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing Province, China (Ms Change); Fenyang College of Shanxi Medical University, Lvliang City, Shanxi Province, China (Ms J. Wang); Department of Nursing, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China (Ms Yang); and Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China (Dr Zhang).

PMID: 39869610
DOI: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000703

Abstract

This study compiled 39 representative world-famous paintings, which depict the images of nurses in different historical periods. According to the sorting results, the paintings were created between 1662 and 1962. The evolution of nursing is delved into by examining depictions of nurses in historical artworks. Through this exploration, we gain insight into the development and professional ethos of nursing across different historical periods. The focus is on delineating various professional representations of nurses in these celebrated paintings and assessing their professionalism. The essence of the nursing profession is encapsulated as fraternity, sacrifice, dedication, and inheritance. This narrative interprets the significance of nursing portrayed in world-renowned paintings.