Keisnijder 1858

This is Frederik Hendrik Weissenbruch's "Keisnijder," made with etching and drypoint. Weissenbruch, who lived from 1824 to 1887, made this print at a time when the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and economic changes. The image depicts what was then a common scene—a traveling quack or "stone cutter" extracting a supposed "stone of madness" from a patient's head. This practice was a blend of charlatanism and desperation, preying on those seeking relief from mental distress. It speaks volumes about the state of mental health "care" and the vulnerability of individuals in that era. Look at the faces of the onlookers, a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. Are they hopeful, or are they simply entertained by this theatrical performance? This piece is a stark reminder of how easily people could be exploited, highlighting the class disparities and the lack of proper medical knowledge at the time. It serves as a powerful reflection on the lengths people would go to for a semblance of hope.