Le Dentiste National
Object numberHC.J.16.X.12
TitleLe Dentiste National
CreatorArtist Unknown
DescriptionEngraving by an Unknown Artist
A satire on the disestablishment of the church in France during the French Revolution (decreed 2 Nov. 1789).
An abbot having his teeth extracted to symbolize curtailment of influence. The Dentist represents the Third Estate, that is one of the approximately 97 percent of the French Population belonging to neither clergy nor nobility. These were the principal actors during the Revolution.
The characters are (left to right): One child (6) informs the other 'See what it is to be too greedy'; A citizen (1, no. missing) says 'Ah bravo, he has been robbing us for a very long time'; The national dentist (2) replies 'All or nothing'; A lady of the aristocracy (3) pleads 'Spare him his stumps'; A nobleman (4), standing beside the chair, advises 'My brother, be patient'; And a church dignitary (5), holding a mandate, begs that a tenth be given to God, meaning leave the abbot a tenth of his teeth. Artist unknown
Production date 1780
Production periodEighteenth century, late
Object nameLe Dentiste National
Object categoryDental
MaterialPaper
Dimensions
- Framed Height: 41 cm
Width: 61.5 cm
Depth: 3 cm
As seen image Height: 18.7 cm
Width: 26.9 cm