Le Dentiste
HC.J.16.X.41
Mid - late eighteenth century copper plate engraving by Jacques Philippe Le Bas or Lebas (1707-1783) after the painting by David Teniers the young (1610-1690) with slight variations.
It portrays an elderley dentist seated in an armchair holding an instrument with a molar tooth, which he has extracted from the youth behind the pharmacy jars to the left.
The header reads:'Tire du Cabinet de Mr. le Brun' which translates as: 'Taken from the cabinet of Mr le Brun.' Jean Baptiste Pierre le Brun (1748-1813) was a collector of, and dealer in, pictures: and grand-nephew of the celebrated artist Charles le Brun (1619-1690) who was premier painter to Louise XIV.
It would seem that the painting by Teniers was originally owned by Charles le Brun; and inherited by his grand-nephew who allowed Le Bas tp engrave it.
