The Doctor Dismissing Death 1785

"The Doctor Dismissing Death" (1785), an etching by Peter Simon, is a satirical artwork that critiques the medical practices of the time. It depicts a doctor using a syringe to drive away the Grim Reaper, represented by a skeleton, from a sick patient. The scene is set in a cluttered room, suggesting the doctor's unorthodox methods. The artwork is a powerful commentary on the perceived arrogance of doctors and the fear of death in the 18th century. This humorous print, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers insight into the social anxieties surrounding illness and mortality during this period.