The Town Tooth Drawer
Object numberHC.J.16.X.79
TitleThe Town Tooth Drawer
CreatorArtist Unknown (originator), Bowles & Carver (agent)
DescriptionMezzotint. Artist unknown.
This depicts the interior of an XVIIIth century smithy with forge and anvil. The blacksmith is extracting with outsize forceps of his own construction a maxillary left central incisor tooth for a peasant, while a woman watches. After, with figures reversed, Le Dentiste ou la Dent Tire sans que Von la Touche.
Reasonable doubt seems to exist concerning the originator of this picture with Aveline the younger (c. 1702-60), James Wilson (1735-86) or Johann Simon Negges or Neges (d. 1792) all suggested.
Many artists produced variations of this very popular theme. Some were in oils (see HC.J.16.X.64,98) engravings or mezzotints published under different titles. For instance, The Dentist, or Teeth Drawn with a Touch (HC.J.16.X.77,79). Often the publishers added poetical legends, (HC.J.16.X.77). Certain artists executed a companion picture (HC. J.16.X.38,62,78,100). Cf. HC.J.16.X.63,64,77,79,98,99.
The legend reads:
Why! Doctor of Horses, how comes it to pass,
That you condescend to draw teeth for an Ass!
Says Poll from the Magpie, who came for her Pot,
Just as Dentist fast hold of his Patient has got.
Who made such a noise betwixt roaring and praying,
That Polly declar'd it was nothing but braying;
I vow says the Dentist, I ne'er met with his fellow
For I give him no cause thus to roar and to bellow.
I am not like a Country Blacksmith who draws
His Patient from morning, till night, by the jaws;
I extract in an instant, above, or beneath,—
And will make his mouth easy, in spite of his teeth.
Companion to HC.J.16.X.78.
Production periodEighteenth century, late
Object nameThe Town Tooth Drawer
Object categoryDental
MaterialPaper
Dimensions
- Height: 50.3 cm
Width: 36.0 cm
Mounted Height: 71 cm
Width: 56 cm