The Dentist, or Teeth Drawn with a Touch
HC.J.16.X.64
Oil painting on panel
This depicts the interior of an XVIIIth century smithy with forge and anvil. The blacksmith is extracting with outsize forceps of his own construction a maxillary left central incisor tooth for a peasant, while a woman watches. After, with figures reversed, Le Dentiste ou la Dent Tire sans que Von la Touche.
Many artists produced variations of this very popular theme. Some were in oils, engravings or mezzotints published under different titles. Often the publishers added poetical legends.
Nineteenth century, early
