An Unusual Patchy Alopecia in a 15th Century Altarpiece From Colmar, France

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.