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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 removal of 'folly' (madness) from the body.
Title
An Itinerant Surgeon Extracting Stones from a Man's Head; Symbolising the Expulsion of 'Folly' (Insanity), They Are Surrounded by a Group of People
Date
1645
Medium
pencil on paper (?)
Measurements
H 52.2 x W 36.2 cm
Accession number
21093i
Acquisition method
presumed to be part of the collection formed by Henry S. Wellcome
Work type
Drawing & watercolour
Wellcome Collection
183 Euston Road, London, Greater London NW1 2BE England
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An Itinerant Surgeon Extracting Stones from a Man's Head; Symbolising the Expulsion of 'Folly' (Insanity), They Are Surrounded by a Group of People Wellcome Collection -
A Standing Cavalier Bristol Museum & Art Gallery -
A Man and a Woman in a Stableyard The National Gallery, London -
A Standing Man The National Gallery, London -
An Operator Extracting pierres de tête from behind a Man's Ear, with Four Other People in Attendance Wellcome Collection -
A Surgeon Attending to a Man's Head Wellcome Collection
