The Surgeon 1555

"The Surgeon", painted in 1555 by Jan van Hemessen, depicts a satirical scene of a "surgeon" operating on a patient's eye in a public square. The painting is a prime example of 16th century Netherlandish genre painting, showcasing everyday life and social commentary. The artist uses caricature and humor to highlight the quackery of the time, with the "surgeon" seemingly unskilled and the patient in obvious distress. The painting is currently housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.