De tandarts 1741 - 1820

Editor: Abraham Delfos’s "The Dentist," dating roughly from 1741 to 1820, is a charcoal drawing depicting, quite literally, a dentist at work. It has an almost uncomfortable intimacy about it. What do you see in this piece, beyond the obvious subject matter? Curator: Beyond the immediate scene, I see a stark representation of class and power dynamics in 18th and 19th-century healthcare. Note the setting: it's not a sterile environment but seemingly a domestic interior, blurring lines between personal space and medical intervention. Consider, too, who has access to such services and what that might mean for social stratification at the time. Editor: So you’re saying the drawing reveals social commentary through the dentist's visit? Curator: Exactly. The very act depicted speaks volumes. Who is represented and how? The patient's grimace isn’t just a physical reaction; it reflects vulnerability in a hierarchical exchange. The 'dentist' wielding a tool, the other figure peering, possibly a family member— it's about the performance of power and the experience of the other. The uncomfortably intimate setting also indicates healthcare was not yet fully standardized. What does the artist leave unsaid about their relative position in this scenario, do you think? Editor: It makes me wonder about access to healthcare and who was considered worthy of receiving it at this time. Curator: Precisely. And how that historical power imbalance continues to subtly influence healthcare narratives today. Looking at the drawing this way brings up issues of access and class dynamics in the world of contemporary healthcare, don’t you think? Editor: I never thought a simple drawing of a dentist could open up so much to consider! Curator: Art serves as a powerful mirror to the inequalities persisting in our world today. Thank you.