This summer, I had a fantastic time analyzing a postage stamp collection using Panofsky’s art history model! I know that sounds weird, but hear me out. Stamps prove to be quite an interesting way to understand healthcare and nursing history.

First, take a look at this very short blog that does a pretty good job translating Panofsky’s framework into ordinary language: Erwin Panofsky’s Iconological Method (For more–in case you don’t have a copy lying around–see free original online copy of Erwin Panofsky, Meaning in the Visual Arts.)

Second, Think of each stamp as a little canvas art piece created in a particular historical situation by a particular government, artist, engraver, & printer. That means each is a tiny, situated government-issued billboard with a message.

Third, try out Panofsky’s model for yourself on one of these stamps: 1st do a bit of Iconography – upload one of these stamp images to Google Lens for its description. Then 2nd try your hand at Iconology – ask Google Gemini (or other AI) for “Historical context. No hallucination” and after you read those results, ask “Political context. No hallucination.” Look up also the art, artist, language, & persons depicted. See what you get! I promise it will be more than interesting. It will be an education!

Acknowledgement: Thank you to Valerie Simpson MS RN for access to her collection of nursing & healthcare themed stamps.