The Magnetic Brush Method (plate 21) 1843

Charles Jacque created this print, "The Magnetic Brush Method," sometime in the mid-19th century. The print is part of a series titled “Les Maladies et les Medecins,” offering a satirical look at health and medicine during a period of significant social and medical change. In this scene, Jacque critiques the medical practices of his time by portraying a therapy session that seems more like a caricature than genuine treatment. The "magnetic brushes" mentioned in the signage and title suggest the quackery prevalent in medical treatments. This would have resonated with a society grappling with industrialization, class disparities and the promises and pitfalls of modernity. The artist captures the emotional tenor of the piece by including dialogue that is equally critical of the process: "Oh la la! mais vous m'écorchez tout vif!" - "Parbleu c'est tout simple." "The Magnetic Brush Method" serves as a historical commentary, reflecting societal anxieties about health, class, and the trustworthiness of those in power. Jacque’s work encourages us to question the roles of power and vulnerability in the theater of medical treatment, which continues to be relevant today.