De kiezentrekker c. 1675 - 1699

Editor: This ink drawing, "The Tooth Puller" by Adriaen van Ostade, circa 1675-1699, feels so immediate and raw. The tension is palpable. What strikes me most is how it seems to depict a common, almost theatrical scene. How do you interpret this work through a historical lens? Curator: Indeed. Considering the era, think about public health and social dynamics. What does it say about access to medical care, or the lack thereof, for common people in the 17th century? Extractions were often public spectacles, weren't they? Not just about fixing a problem, but a public performance. Editor: Yes, it’s almost a spectacle! But how does the drawing’s style feed into this? It's quite loose, not highly detailed. Curator: Precisely. The sketchy style amplifies the emotional and perhaps chaotic nature. How might van Ostade be commenting on or shaping the audience’s view of these events and social standings with these artistic choices? Were they intended to entertain, critique, or simply document life as it was? Editor: It makes me wonder if he saw this as an opportunity to explore the social hierarchy. A contrast, perhaps, to the art commissioned by the wealthy. Was this a reflection of everyday life, made for the everyday person? Curator: Possibly, although drawings like this were collected. Thinking about the Rijksmuseum owning it now, we need to consider how its meaning changes with time and its place within a national collection. The act of exhibiting everyday lives from centuries past – is it a form of historical validation? Does it lend a certain dignity? Editor: That’s a fascinating point. The drawing, and its journey, certainly prompt a broader conversation about art's role in shaping our understanding of the past, and of our own values too. Thanks! Curator: Precisely, and examining the visual culture informs so much about our social narratives. My pleasure.