Operation on foot 

Adriaen Brouwer painted this genre scene, "Operation on Foot," in the 17th-century Netherlands. It depicts a traveling bonesetter or barber surgeon extracting something from a peasant's foot, with a grimacing assistant and other onlookers. Brouwer likely intended social commentary. Note the skull perched above the fireplace. The setting is a humble interior filled with alchemical equipment and other objects, hinting at the disreputable, often fraudulent nature of itinerant healers. During this period, medical practices were unregulated, creating opportunities for charlatans to prey on the vulnerable. The painting's earthy realism, its focus on the everyday lives of ordinary people, and its unflinching portrayal of bodily discomfort reflect a broader cultural shift in the Netherlands away from idealized representations toward more naturalistic depictions of life. By studying contemporary medical texts, legal records, and visual sources, we can further illuminate the social role of medicine. Brouwer's work offers a compelling glimpse into the intersection of art, health, and social critique.