Tandarts 1655 - 1700

Curator: Immediately, I notice a real tension between the harsh, almost comical expressions and the delicate execution of this drawing. Editor: Indeed. This is "Tandarts," created sometime between 1655 and 1700, by Jan van Somer. The scene presents a dentist at work, surrounded by a motley crew of onlookers. Curator: Van Somer's use of line is fascinating here. Notice how the tight crosshatching gives depth and volume to the figures, yet the overall composition feels slightly flattened, almost like a theatrical staging. It makes you consider not only how these characters are rendered but why. Editor: I see the way he utilizes value contrasts to direct our attention to the central scene. One cannot ignore the significance of dental practices of the 17th century. They existed somewhere between medical care, public performance, and outright barbarism. Dentistry was unregulated. Many self-proclaimed dentists practiced with little or no qualifications. I mean, the expressions on the faces of those around the seated, soon-to-be-toothless man seem less concerned than voyeuristic! It's quite macabre. Curator: Absolutely, and that voyeurism translates into our experience viewing it now. The rough textures and exaggerated features contribute to a sense of unease. Editor: And consider how this imagery reinforced social hierarchies. Those with the means sought professional medical help, and those who didn't resorted to…well, this spectacle. What do you make of its commentary about class and desperation? The tooth extraction here isn't merely a medical procedure; it’s a public spectacle, steeped in cultural anxiety and perhaps even ridicule. The scene may portray how some were subjected to dubious care because of economic disparities. Curator: Interesting point. Looking at the composition as a purely formal matter, though, you see how van Somer’s artfulness shapes the narrative. By softening or obscuring much of the environment, he is subtly saying, "Attend only to what I deem vital". Editor: I am drawn by his engagement with popular ideas of health and remedies of the period. It is indeed an intersection of performance, science, and commerce that the picture captures for us today. Curator: A collision deftly visualized! Editor: I agree.