A barber-surgeon extracting stones from a woman's head; symbolising the expulsion of 'folly' (insanity). Watercolour by J. Cats, 1787, after B. Maton.
- Maton, Bartholomaeus, 1643 or 1646-
- Date:
- 1787
- Reference:
- 21154i
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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, loc. cit.
Publication/Creation
1787
Physical description
1 painting : watercolour ; image 41 x 31.9 cm
Lettering
J. Cats del naar een schilderj van van Tol ... a Gouda. Ao. 1787
Lettering on verso. Also inscribed on mount "J. Cats fec. na. D: van Toll"
References note
W. Schupbach, 'A new look at the cure of folly', Medical history, 1978, 22: 267-281
Reference
Wellcome Collection 21154i
Reproduction note
For painting by B. Maton see: W. Bernt, Die Niederländischen Maler des 17. Jahrhunderts, Munich 1962, pl. 191
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Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed stores