Spotprent op de dorpsarts, 1799 Possibly 1799

“Ghost of the Village Doctor” is a satirical hand-colored etching by Isaac Cruikshank, created in 1799. The image is a caricature, a style of art that uses exaggeration and distortion for comic effect, depicting a doctor and a ghost. It is likely a social commentary on the medical practices of the time. The work, part of a series called “Familiar Ghosts Sketch,” showcases Cruikshank’s mastery of the genre and offers a humorous glimpse into the concerns of 18th-century society.