The Tooth-Extractor c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have *The Tooth-Extractor*, a 17th-century print. It's credited to Anonymous, and done in a style reminiscent of the Baroque, using a mezzotint technique. It’s quite a dark scene, quite grim. Everyone seems huddled together, with one poor soul clearly in distress. What strikes you when you look at this, Professor? Curator: Oh, it pulls you right in, doesn’t it? Like stepping into a smoky tavern filled with dubious characters. Forget dentists; these guys are going for speed, not comfort. I see more than just tooth extraction; I see a reflection on charlatanism and desperation. Can you feel the pull, the almost theatrical quality? It's Baroque storytelling at its most raw and immediate. Do you sense that storytelling quality here? Editor: Absolutely! It's hard to look away. The expressions are so vivid, even with the limitations of the mezzotint. Is the theatrical quality a common trait of Baroque art? Curator: Precisely! The Baroque loved drama, spectacle! And here, the dental “surgery” is the main stage. This print is both a genre scene and a dark comedy – people were different back then. What do you think the artist wants us to feel towards the "patient," do you pity him? Editor: I think I do, a little, but there's a sort of… inevitability to it. Like, you know this is how things were. It’s a peek into the past, however unpleasant. Curator: Indeed, and that’s the power of art, isn’t it? It allows us to peek, to wince, to learn, and to feel grateful for modern dentistry all at once. Now, is there one particular person who interests you, one individual with an unusual expression? Editor: I noticed the person to the left. They seem really engaged. What does their expression tell you? Curator: The whole business is intriguing to him, I am guessing that he does this kind of operation more frequently, he must know exactly what to do, every step in the removal of teeth! But most of all what catches the attention of that man is the money, perhaps! Editor: Interesting, that makes me wonder how accurate this portrayal really is... it does give us quite a vivid snapshot into the past. Thank you. Curator: It's a snapshot with a sting. Until next time!