Dentist by Candlelight 1665

Gerrit Dou’s painting presents us with a scene illuminated by candlelight, where a dentist is at work, but it is the crocodile suspended above that seizes our attention. In the 17th century, the crocodile, an exotic creature unknown to most Europeans, became a symbol of ignorance, deceit, and even death. Here, the menacing crocodile looms over the scene, a dark omen reflecting the pain and fear associated with dental procedures. The crocodile, a symbol of primal fear, is a motif that transcends time, re-emerging in various forms throughout history, from ancient Egyptian deities to modern-day anxieties. Consider how such symbolic imagery, charged with emotion, taps into our collective memory, engaging viewers on a profound, subconscious level. The non-linear progression of this symbol, the crocodile, reminds us of the cyclical nature of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.