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What do we see when we look closely?
Examine this advertisement from the Dutch chocolate manufacturer Droste which uses an image of a nurse to proclaim the health benefits of their drink on product labels and advertising materials.
Roll over different areas of the postcard to discover answers to the questions below.
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- Q1Can you identify a nurse's headdress?
- A1The headdress is similar to a nun's veil conveying a traditional image of the nurse as a woman with a religious vocation or calling.
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- Q2Why is the nurse shown carrying a cup and saucer?
- A2The picture has mythological associations: in imagery from ancient times, a woman who bears a bowl or cup would be associated with Hygeia, goddess of health and cleanliness.
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- Q3Can you spot the nurse on the image on the chocolate tin?
- A3The health bearing properties of chocolate were unproven at this time but nurses found the warm milk drink popular with their patients.
An image of a nurse used in a Droste chocolate advertisement links the product with health, ca. 1910
-
- Q1Can you identify a nurse's headdress?
- A1The headdress is similar to a nun's veil conveying a traditional image of the nurse as a woman with a religious vocation or calling.
-
- Q2Why is the nurse shown carrying a cup and saucer?
- A2The picture has mythological associations: in imagery from ancient times, a woman who bears a bowl or cup would be associated with Hygeia, goddess of health and cleanliness.
-
- Q3Can you spot the nurse on the image on the chocolate tin?
- A3The health bearing properties of chocolate were unproven at this time but nurses found the warm milk drink popular with their patients.
- 1Can you identify a nurse's headdress?
- 2Why is the nurse shown carrying a cup and saucer?
- 3Can you spot the nurse on the image on the chocolate tin?
