Verwijderen van staar tijdens een oogoperatie door middel van een punctie before 1873

This image shows a cataract surgery performed by puncture, created by A. de Montméja. The composition of the image centers on the focal point of the eye being operated on, rendered in shades of sepia which evoke a historical or clinical context. The arrangement of hands and tools around the eye creates a striking visual dynamic. The instruments used are emphasized by the stark contrast between the smooth skin and the metallic glint of the tools, which highlights the procedure’s invasive nature. Consider the power relations at play: the vulnerable patient and the controlling surgeon. This depiction might be seen as a commentary on the medical gaze, where the body becomes an object of scrutiny and manipulation. The puncturing of the eye, a sensory organ, might destabilize our understanding of sight itself. The artwork invites a conversation about the intersection of medicine, representation, and perception, challenging viewers to reflect on how we see and understand the act of intervention on the human body. It shows how art functions as part of a larger cultural discourse.