Artwork

A Surgeon Operating on a Foot. The Five Senses: The Sense of Touch

A Surgeon Operating on a Foot. The Five Senses: The Sense of Touch is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. A black‑and‑white image titled *A Surgeon Operating on a Foot.

About this work

Overview

A black‑and‑white image titled *A Surgeon Operating on a Foot. The Five Senses: The Sense of Touch* depicts a cramped, dimly lit interior where a physician attends to a patient’s foot. The scene captures a moment of concentration, with the patient gripping a stool and the surgeon steadying the limb while several onlookers observe.

Subject & Meaning

The work illustrates the tactile sense through a medical procedure, emphasizing the physical contact between healer and patient. The surrounding figures, some holding objects or resting their heads, suggest a communal interest in the act of touch, reinforcing the theme of sensory perception.

Technique & Style

Rendered in monochrome, the photograph relies on strong contrasts between light and shadow to model forms, a visual strategy reminiscent of chiaroscuro. The uneven illumination accentuates the texture of rough walls, wooden flooring, and the folds of clothing, lending the scene a dramatic, almost theatrical quality.

History & Provenance

Created around 1650 by the artist identified as 2042_person, the image is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. Its attribution and dating place it within the mid‑17th‑century tradition of genre scenes that document everyday activities.

Context

The composition reflects contemporary interest in medical practice and the sensory experience of touch during the early modern period. The presence of jars, tools, and a modest window suggests a typical surgical setting of the time, offering insight into the material culture of healthcare.