De kiezentrekker c. 1675 - 1699

"De kiezentrekker" (The Tooth-Drawer) is a drawing by Dutch Golden Age artist Adriaen van Ostade, dated c. 1675-1699. Currently housed at the Rijksmuseum, the work depicts a scene of a tooth being pulled by a barber-surgeon in a dimly lit interior. Van Ostade, known for his genre paintings, captured the humor and realism of everyday life, showcasing the unsanitary conditions of the time. The detailed depiction of the figures and the cluttered environment provides a glimpse into the daily struggles of the lower classes. The drawing's intimate size, 180 mm x 247 mm, allows for a close-up examination of the artist's masterful handling of pen and ink.