Gouty Toes and Rosacea Nose: Does Enlightenment-Era Art Suggest a Correlation?

Gout, one of the most ancient documented diseases in history, has long captivated artists, yielding a rich collection of artworks. This interest peaked during the Enlightenment era in Europe, a time marked by a surge in gout cases alongside rising wealth, consumerism, and subsequent increased public access to artists. This editorial aims to highlight an intriguing observation of a novel association within several Enlightenment-era paintings depicting individuals suffering from gout and often also portraying the distinctive red noses and cheeks seen in patients with rosacea. Traditionally, both rosacea and gout have been classified as localized inflammatory diseases. However, recent studies challenge this conventional categorization, suggesting that these conditions might be components of systemic inflammatory syndromes. Despite the widespread prevalence of these conditions, their potential interconnectedness and shared pathophysiological pathways remain unexplored. Therefore, the representation of gout and rosacea in historical art could extend beyond mere artistic interest, offering a unique and critical perspective for contemporary medical research.