The Tooth-Puller (1651)

Explore the timeless artistry of Jan Steen through *The Tooth-Puller*, an intriguing oil painting from 1651 that vividly depicts the drama of 17th-century dentistry. This masterpiece invites you into a bustling scene where a crowd gathers around a visibly distressed man undergoing a tooth extraction in a public setting.In the fable-like composition, Steen positions the main characters centrally, increasing the teeming emotions encapsulated in the scene. A figure, assumingly the tooth-puller, dressed in a dark cloak and hat, holds the head of the suffering man, his face contorted in pain and apprehension. Surrounding these two are various onlookers, including an old woman gesturing passionately and children who view the scene with a mixture of shock and curiosity.Set in a rustic space under the shelter of trees, Steen expertly uses lighting to highlight the intensity and focal point of the action. Details abound in the tableau, from the wooden table strewn with papers and bottles—a hint at the makeshift and often dubious medical practices of the time—to the varied expressions of the crowd, showing engagement, empathy, or mere entertainment.*The Tooth-Puller* not only showcases Jan Steen’s talent for capturing human expression and dynamic scenes but also serves as a historical commentary on the practices and social gatherings of his era.