By Stéphan Ballard
As I journeyed back through the mountains of the Adirondacks, it offered a moment to reflect on my path to Yale, the Cushing Library, and the fortunate opportunity granted by Stanley B. Burns M.D. Fellowship for the Study of Medical Photographic History.
My project, Operating Theater, is a photographic tribute to the intimate, transformative space of surgical practice, where I witnessed surgeons' precise, life-changing work.
With its rare documentation of medical history, the Burns photographic collection became a portal into the dawn of modern medicine, particularly the era of the operating theater.
The collection allowed me to observe the evolution of the operating theater and its progressive closure through time. As I witness today's modern operating room the human presence within it has changed. The space between the audience and the surgeon has been removed, as we transitioned from amphitheater to video feed. The shift of focus away from human performance is apparent.
Through my choice of images, I aim to weave a photographic narrative that binds my experience with the journeys of other photographers from the collection.
As an artist, I endeavored in creating a visual essay to fill the void caused by the loss of this mythical space. Capturing the act of surgery allows the surgeons to experience their empowering act of redemption in our modern day.
My journey was further enriched by an earlier experience at McGill’s Osler Library, where I encountered Sir William Osler’s legacy through his rare medical books and anatomical illustrations. This experience formed a bridge between McGill and Yale, tracing the intellectual and personal bond between Osler and Dr. Harvey Cushing. Their lifelong friendship intertwined their respective libraries into a unified legacy, dedicated to advancing medicine.
In Cushing's library, I was introduced to his Wanderjahr notebooks—collages, illustrations, and writings that reflected not only his scientific growth but also his intellectual and emotional journey. Discovering Cushing’s talent as a draftsman evoked a deeper connection between art and medicine, revealing a shared visual language.
As I reflect on my medical pilgrimage. I felt a deep gratitude towards the Burns fellowship and the two giants' friendship which opened the path to many fellows to access a combined wealth of knowledge opening the door to solve humanity’s wonderful puzzle.
First two images courtesy of Stéphan Ballard
Bottom image from the Stanley B. Burns M.D. Historic Medical Photography collection
