El sacamuelas 1844

"El sacamuelas" (1844) by Spanish artist Leonardo Alenza (1807-1845) depicts a scene of a tooth extraction. The painting, now housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, captures the raw, chaotic nature of 19th-century dentistry with striking realism. The central figure, a man grimacing in pain, is surrounded by onlookers, some holding him down while the tooth extractor uses a pair of pliers. Alenza's masterful use of light and shadow adds to the drama and intensity of the scene. The painting's realism and captivating subject matter have made it a popular and memorable work.