Keisnijder 1828

"Keisnijder" (1828) by William Young Ottley (1771-1836) depicts a scene of a man having his head examined by a barber-surgeon. The image is a satirical representation of 17th-century Dutch culture. Ottley uses the image to satirize the practice of barber-surgeons, who were often seen as charlatans. The use of graphic detail and exaggerated facial expressions creates a humorous yet unsettling effect. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and is a fascinating example of social commentary through art.