ARTWORKS

A Barber-Surgeon Extracting Stones from a Woman's Head, Symbolising the Expulsion of 'Folly' (Insanity) (copy after Bartholomaeus Maton)

Jacob Cats (1741–1799)

Wellcome Collection

A Barber-Surgeon Extracting Stones from a Woman's Head, Symbolising the Expulsion of 'Folly' (Insanity)

Image credit: Wellcome Collection

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Notes

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The images of a surgeon (often itinerant) making an incision in a patient's head in order to extract 'stones' (implying madness in the individual) do not represent an actual operation but are allegorical scenes referring to the subduction of 'folly' (madness) from the body.

Wellcome Collection

London

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Title

A Barber-Surgeon Extracting Stones from a Woman's Head, Symbolising the Expulsion of 'Folly' (Insanity)

Medium

watercolour on paper (?)

Measurements

H 41 x W 31.9 cm

Accession number

21154i

Acquisition method

presumed to be part of the collection formed by Henry S. Wellcome

Work type

Drawing & watercolour

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Wellcome Collection

183 Euston Road, London, Greater London NW1 2BE England

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Artist or maker

Jacob Cats

1741–1799

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  • A Barber-Surgeon Extracting Stones from a Woman's Head, Symbolising the Expulsion of 'Folly' (Insanity)
    A Barber-Surgeon Extracting Stones from a Woman's Head, Symbolising the Expulsion of 'Folly' (Insanity) Wellcome Collection

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