The Invention of a New Chest Elixir (plate 14) 1843

"The Invention of a New Chest Elixir" (Plate 14) is a lithograph by Charles Jacque, created in 1843. This satirical artwork humorously depicts a scene from the series "Les Malades et les Médecins" (The Sick and the Doctors). The scene shows a group of people in a laboratory setting, likely a doctor and his assistants, preparing what appears to be a medicinal concoction, highlighting the absurdities of the medical practices of the time. The use of lithography, a printing technique common in the 19th century, allows for intricate detail and a sense of realism in the artwork. The artist's signature is clearly visible, along with the plate number (14), indicating its place in the larger series. This print from The Art Institute of Chicago offers viewers a glimpse into the history of medicine and the social commentary of 19th-century art.