The Dentist c. 17th century

Editor: So, here's "The Dentist," an anonymous painting hanging here at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels almost theatrical, with the window as a stage. What do you make of the dentist's grim expression? Curator: It's interesting, isn't it? There's a certain Caravaggio-esque quality to the light, focusing our attention on the tension between the figures. Is he grim or is he concentrating, I wonder? Editor: Concentrating, maybe? Either way, that kid looks terrified! What does it say about dentistry back then? Curator: Perhaps it speaks to a time when medical procedures were… less refined, shall we say? More brute force than gentle care. It makes you grateful for modern dentistry, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely! A little perspective and a lot to be grateful for!