The artwork, entitled “Quack Doctor,” was created by the artist Jan Steen in the year 1651. It is an oil painting on canvas that belongs to the Baroque art movement and falls within the genre painting category.
The artwork vividly illustrates a scene where a “quack doctor” engages in a medical procedure before a small, intrigued crowd. Central to the composition is a distressed patient, depicted with his mouth wide open, sitting on a wooden chair while the ‘doctor’ examines him. Various onlookers, including a woman and several children, exhibit expressions ranging from curiosity to concern. The setting is rustic, with a casual arrangement of objects such as bottles and a table, emphasizing a humble, outdoor environment. Trees and partial sky are visible in the background, highlighting the scene’s outdoor locale. The color palette is rich, with deep earth tones contributing to the Baroque style’s dramatic interplay of light and shadow.
