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The dentist, 1523. Creator: Lucas van Leyden
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The dentist, 1523. Creator: Lucas van Leyden
The dentist, 1523. A dentist, clad in a large, fanciful hat and an ornate robe, probing the teeth of a clearly agonised, impoverished peasant. Immediately behind him stands the dentist's demure woman assistant, who picks the patient's purse. Her pained appearance should not be interpreted as sympathy - rather she is disappointed that the pickings are so slim
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Media ID 38688921
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1520s Agony Agricultural Labourer Agricultural Workers Assistant Criminal Dentist Dentistry Extraction Huyghensz Lucas Huyghenszoon Lucas Labourer Leyden Lucas Of Leyden Lucas Van Lucas Hugensz Lucas Huyghensz Lucas Huyghenszoon Lucas Jacobsz Lucas Of Leyden Lucas Van Leyden Museum Of New Zealand Painful Peasant Peasants Pickpocket Quack Quack Doctor Te Papa Tongarewa Teeth Tooth Trick Van Leyden Lucas Victim Agricultural Worker Fanciful Farm Hand Farm Labourer Farm Worker Farmhand Farmworker Tooth Extractor Tooth Key Trickery
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EDITORS COMMENTS
A poignant and powerful depiction of a dentist's visit gone awry. In this striking black and white print from 1523, Dutch master Lucas van Leyden captures the anguish of an impoverished peasant as he receives treatment at the hands (literally) of a flamboyant dentist. The latter, resplendent in his elaborate hat and ornate robe, probes the patient's teeth with all due seriousness - while his demure female assistant looks on with a mixture of disappointment and disdain behind him.
The contrast between the two figures is striking: the dentist exudes confidence and authority, whereas the peasant appears broken and helpless. The artist's use of chiaroscuro adds depth to the scene, drawing our attention to every detail from the patient's anguished expression to the assistant's calculating gaze.
This iconic print not only offers a fascinating glimpse into 16th-century dentistry but also serves as a powerful commentary on social class and economic inequality. It is a testament to Lucas van Leyden's skill that this image continues to resonate with us today, inviting reflection on our own values of compassion and empathy.
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