The Tooth Puller – Dutch School, circa 1700, follower of Pieter de Bloot

This Dutch genre scene, dating from around 1700 and attributed to a follower of Pieter de Bloot, realistically and humorously depicts a popular medical practice of the time: tooth extraction by an itinerant quack. At the center of the composition, a man sits with his mouth wide open, undergoing the procedure while a group of onlookers—children and adults—watch with varied expressions of curiosity, concern, or indifference.

The painting stands out for its anecdotal narrative and attention to detail: a child holds out a bottle, perhaps to ease the pain, while another figure, seated at a table in the background, seems absorbed in a task far removed from the main scene. The setting, marked by a tent and a flag, evokes the atmosphere of a fair or market, typical of Dutch Golden Age genre scenes.

Oak panel, single plank, not parqueted.

Dimensions:
Without frame: Height 11 in (28 cm) - Width 12 ? in (32 cm)
With frame: Height 18 ? in (46 cm) - Width 18 ? in (48 cm)

Condition:
In fine original condition, old restorations.

Frame:
18th-century gilded and carved frame in excellent condition, adorned with floral motifs and moldings characteristic of the period.

Historical and Artistic Context:?Pieter de Bloot (1601–1658), a Dutch Golden Age painter, is renowned for his genre scenes and portraits, often infused with humor and realism. His works depict the daily life of the lower classes with keen observation. This painting, attributed to a follower of De Bloot, continues this tradition by blending anecdotal storytelling and social commentary, while reflecting the rudimentary medical practices of the time.
Scenes of tooth pullers were common in Dutch painting, illustrating both the fascination with the human body and popular customs. They also echo the works of contemporaries such as Jan Steen or Adriaen van Ostade, who treated similar subjects with the same narrative vigor.