The Tooth-Puller 1565 - 1590

"The Tooth-Puller" is an etching by Flemish artist Peeter van der Borcht, created between 1565-1590. This satirical print depicts a tooth-puller, mounted on a donkey, extracting a tooth from a screaming patient, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers. The scene, rendered in detail, highlights the anxieties of 16th-century society, particularly the fear of dental procedures. Van der Borcht's masterful use of light and shadow and his emphasis on facial expressions contribute to the powerful and humorous depiction of this everyday occurrence. The artwork is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.