A malicious itinerant surgeon extracting stones from a grimacing patient's head; symbolising the extraction of 'folly' (insanity). Coloured etching after D. Teniers.
- Teniers, David, 1610-1690.
- Reference:
- 21116i
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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, A new look at The cure of folly, Medical history, 1978, vol. 22, pp. 267-281
Physical description
1 print : etching, with gouache
Contributors
Reference
Wellcome Collection 21116i
Type/Technique
Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed stores