Unnamed surgeon

November 14, 2019

In this painting an unknown Netherlandish artist features some of the attributes of a surgeon’s profession: a skull, a tool for cauterizing skulls, a saw, and several keys on the surgeon’s belt.

The unnamed surgeon seems composed, serious, with a firm jaw and wrinkled eyes. This is fitting of his position and reputation among the people he likely served. But he seems to lack warmth, and some of his patients may be scared of him.

A portrait of an unnamed surgeon. He is accompanied by tools of the surgeon's trade.

Portrait of a Surgeon by Netherlandish Painter. 1569. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Public Domain.

Highlighted Vignette Volume 12, Issue 4 – Fall 2020

Fall 2019 | Sections | Art Flashes