'The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp,' 1632 a painting by Rembrandt, has been used for the cover of The Economist.

Dr. Nicolaes Tulp is pictured explaining the musculature of the arm to medical professionals, but the painting has been doctored (get it) to appear as if he is using a defibrillator to revive the patient. Above him are the words - "Stand back, I'm a central banker".  Attempting to revive an cadaver injects a touch of humour and cynical eye over our current financial situation.

The image makes us question who can we really trust to stabilize the economy? Restriction free, iconic art has been manipulated to take an an entirely new context. See another example.

 

Economist magazine cover. Issue date 13/08/2011. <br> The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632 by Rembrandt (1606-69) / Mauritshuis, The Hague, The Netherlands /Bridgeman
Economist magazine cover. Issue date 13/08/2011.
The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632 by Rembrandt (1606-69) / Mauritshuis, The Hague, The Netherlands /Bridgeman

 

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