The Extraction of Tooth Gerrit Dou (1613-1675)

Here we observe a domestic scene centered around a medical procedure – the extraction of a tooth. The composition is structured around two primary figures: a man undergoing the dental work and the barber-surgeon performing it. The patient reclines in a wooden chair, his face contorted in an expression that blends pain and unconsciousness. He is draped in simple garments, suggesting a working-class status. His posture conveys vulnerability and dependence on the individual attending to him.

The barber-surgeon stands over him, clad in dark attire with a fur collar, indicating a degree of professional standing or perhaps even wealth. His face is partially obscured by shadow, lending an air of solemnity and detachment to his task. He holds the instruments of his trade – forceps and a cloth – with a practiced hand, suggesting experience but not necessarily compassion.

The setting itself contributes significantly to the painting’s narrative. The room appears sparsely furnished, with shelves laden with various objects: cookware, jars containing unknown substances, and what seems to be surgical tools. A skull sits prominently on one of the shelves, serving as a memento mori, a reminder of mortality and the fragility of life – a common motif in art of this period. The window provides a source of light, but it is partially obscured by bars, hinting at confinement or restriction.

A basket filled with apples sits near the patient’s feet; its presence introduces an element of everyday life juxtaposed against the discomfort and potential trauma of the dental procedure. This contrast underscores the mundane nature of suffering – that even in moments of pain, life continues. The floor is uneven and dimly lit, adding to the overall sense of realism and immediacy.

Subtly, the painting explores themes of class disparity, medical practice, and the acceptance of pain as an inevitable part of existence. The barber-surgeon’s detached demeanor suggests a professional distance from his patients suffering, while the patient’s vulnerability highlights the power dynamic inherent in the situation. The inclusion of the skull reinforces the transient nature of human life and the inevitability of death, providing a broader philosophical context for the scene depicted. The work doesnt offer judgment; it presents an observation of a commonplace event within a specific social framework.