Het Gevoel 1670 - 1713

Pieter Schenk created this engraving, titled "Het Gevoel" or "The Feeling", in the late 17th or early 18th century, a period marked by significant social stratification in Europe. The image portrays a scene rife with satire, highlighting class distinctions and cultural anxieties. We see a man, presumably of lower status, subjected to a crude dental procedure, while onlookers, possibly representing different societal classes, observe with varying degrees of amusement or indifference. This evokes the vulnerability and exploitation experienced by those on the margins. Schenk's decision to depict such a scene speaks to the era’s fascination with bodily functions, and the anxieties surrounding social mobility. The emotional dimension of pain, public humiliation, and social power dynamics are at play. The use of caricature allows Schenk to reflect and critique broader societal issues, while also inviting viewers to consider their own roles in perpetuating or challenging existing norms.