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The depiction of the patient was praised by Karel van Mander in 1604 for its rendering of the expression of pain: K. van Mander, Het schilder-boeck, Haarlem 1604, fol. 214

1 print : line engraving ; image 11.7 x 7.5 cm

A tooth-drawer extracting a tooth from a standing patient, who is being pick-pocketed by a woman. Line engraving after L. van Leyden, 1523.

The surgeon wears a hat which bears two crossed keys, which is apparently the seal of the city of Leiden
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

An itinerant surgeon extracing stones from a man's head; symbolising the expulsion of 'folly' (insanity), in the background is a manic woman who is waiting for the operation. Photogravure, 1926, after T. de Brij after M. de Vos.

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

1 print : line engraving ; image 11.6 x 7.5 cm

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A tooth-drawer extracting a tooth from a standing patient, who is being pick-pocketed by a woman. Line engraving after L. van Leyden, 1523.

An itinerant surgeon extracing stones from a man's head; symbolising the expulsion of 'folly' (insanity), in the background is a manic woman who is waiting for the operation. Photogravure, 1926, after T. de Brij after M. de Vos.

An itinerant surgeon extracting stones from a man's head; symbolising the expulsion of 'folly' (insanity) Line engraving by L. van Leyden, 1524.

Two surgeons amputating the leg and arm of the same patient who is being restrained by assistants. Pen drawing after an engraving, 1597.

An itinerant surgeon extracting stones from a man's head; symbolising the expulsion of 'folly' (insanity) Line engraving after L. van Leyden.

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A tooth-drawer extracting a tooth from a standing patient, who is being pick-pocketed by a woman. Line engraving after L. van Leyden, 1523.

An itinerant surgeon extracing stones from a man's head; symbolising the expulsion of 'folly' (insanity), in the background is a manic woman who is waiting for the operation. Photogravure, 1926, after T. de Brij after M. de Vos.

An itinerant surgeon extracting stones from a man's head; symbolising the expulsion of 'folly' (insanity) Line engraving by L. van Leyden, 1524.

Two surgeons amputating the leg and arm of the same patient who is being restrained by assistants. Pen drawing after an engraving, 1597.

An itinerant surgeon extracting stones from a man's head; symbolising the expulsion of 'folly' (insanity) Line engraving after L. van Leyden.

Stay in the know

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