An Unusual Patchy Alopecia in a 15th Century Altarpiece From Colmar, France
January 2026
in “
JEADV Clinical Practice
”
New to Alopecia Areata? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study examines the depiction of a soldier with an atypical hairstyle resembling alopecia in an Isenmann painting, possibly reflecting medical conditions like tinea capitis or alopecia areata to emphasize the soldier's moral degradation, though artists historically mixed medical conditions for stylistic purposes.
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The document discusses an unusual depiction of patchy alopecia found in a 15th-century altarpiece by Caspar Isenmann at the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, France. The altarpiece, which illustrates the Passion of Christ, features a soldier with a distinctive hairstyle showing patches of alopecia, a rarity in historical artworks. While other characters in the altarpiece display different hair conditions, this specific depiction is unique and not found in other artworks in the museum. The author suggests that the hairstyle might have been a stylistic choice to emphasize the soldier's negative traits, possibly inspired by real scalp conditions like tinea capitis or alopecia areata. The depiction may symbolize moral or spiritual degradation, reflecting the artistic practices of the time.
