Christ as a Pharmacist

The oil painting from 1657 was donated to the burgher hospital in St. Pölten by a local family as thanks for surviving the plague. Today, it can be seen in the St. Pölten City Museum. Christ is depicted as a pharmacist, offering the most important remedies for the healing of body and soul: besides the host and chalice, these include various Christian virtues such as mercy, hope, and humility, which are kept in sealed vessels. In the past, medicine and faith were closely linked, and Christ was seen as a saviour who brings both physical healing and spiritual salvation, hence the term "Christus medicus". The profession of the pharmacist developed in the 13th century, with the first pharmacies in Austria appearing around 1300, mainly in larger cities. A maximum card will also be issued along with the commemorative stamp.