Satire on Physicians 1709

Jean-Antoine Watteau's "Satire on Physicians" (1709) is a satirical portrayal of the medical profession in 18th-century France. The painting, housed at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, depicts a group of figures in a wooded setting, with a physician at the center, surrounded by patients. The work is thought to be a playful critique of the medical practices of the time, highlighting the often-exaggerated claims and remedies of physicians. Watteau, known for his elegant fêtes galantes, utilizes a similar composition and brushwork, suggesting the inherent theatricality and social commentary present in his works.