A malicious itinerant surgeon extracting stones from a grimacing patient's head; symbolising the extraction of 'folly' (insanity). Engraving after D. Teniers.

  • Teniers, David, 1610-1690.
Reference:
21121i
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About this work

Description

The images of a surgeon (often itinerant) making an incision in a patient's head in order to extract 'stones' (implying madness in the individual) do not represent an actual operation, but are allegorical scenes refering to the subduction of 'folly' (madness) from the body. See further: W. Schupbach, A new look at The cure of folly, Medical history, 1978, vol. 22, pp. 267-281

Physical description

1 print : line engraving with etching ; platemark 19.3 x 13.7 cm

Lettering

Feeling. Feeling of e'ry sense the best is thus indeed the most distrest no! man 'tis hell it self to feel instead of girl, the surgeons steel. Bears number: 5

Reference

Wellcome Collection 21121i

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