The King of Persia's Doctor (plate 19) 1843

Editor: Here we have Charles Jacque's "The King of Persia's Doctor," a lithograph from 1843. It's quite a busy scene, almost chaotic, and definitely satirical. I'm struck by the expressions, or lack thereof, on the faces of the people. What’s your take on it? Curator: Oh, darling, it’s a right old commentary, isn’t it? It's all about skewering the medical profession, really. Imagine yourself in 19th-century Paris, reading this in a newspaper; there's our "doctor," practically foaming at the mouth. It suggests a frenzied incompetence. And notice everyone crammed together. Claustrophobia meets comedy. Editor: Definitely feels overcrowded! Is the title significant, the "King of Persia's Doctor?" Curator: Aha! Persia might symbolize exoticism, the unknown – implying maybe the doctor's treatments are just as… unpredictable. This piece reflects societal anxieties. Back then, people felt utterly helpless at the hands of medicine. And it invites us to smirk, even if a little uncomfortably, at that helplessness. It’s asking: what does health mean to you and what would you do for it? Editor: So, the artist uses satire to question authority and express those anxieties. I never considered the Persian reference that way. Curator: Exactly! Art, like a good cup of tea, often reveals hidden depths, inviting us to reflect. We came in as visitors, now we reflect. It is something very special about sharing the space and the creative spark, isn’t it? Editor: It really is, I’m walking away seeing the piece with a completely new set of eyes!