"Let's see...open your mouth!..." 1864

Curator: This is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, titled "Let's see...open your mouth!..." held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's undated, but likely from the mid-19th century. Editor: The palpable anxiety radiating from the seated figure is immediately striking. It's a brilliant depiction of dread. Curator: Absolutely, Daumier was a master of social commentary. This image likely critiques the often-unpleasant experience of medical examination, especially the power dynamics between doctor and patient. Editor: The dentist figure looming over the patient, implement in hand, it conjures up the fear surrounding these medical treatments. You can read the cultural fear of the medical profession in his face. Curator: Precisely, dental care in that era wasn't what it is today. Daumier's caricatures often exposed the vulnerabilities and absurdities within societal structures. Editor: The composition cleverly uses the figures' postures and facial expressions to highlight vulnerability and the psychological toll of seemingly simple procedures. It also underscores the continuity of our anxieties about healthcare across the ages. Curator: It is a potent reminder of how anxieties surrounding healthcare have long been depicted and satirized. Editor: Indeed, it certainly adds another layer of appreciation for the artwork.