Who painted The Tooth-Puller?

The Tooth-Puller was painted by Jan Steen in 1651.

Where can I see The Tooth-Puller?

The Tooth-Puller is held by Mauritshuis.

What movement is The Tooth-Puller?

The Tooth-Puller is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of The Tooth-Puller?

Museum-quality prints of The Tooth-Puller are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Tooth-Puller

Jan Steen , 1651

The Tooth-Puller is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Steen. It dates from 1651 and is held in the collection of the Mauritshuis.

About this work

Overview

Jan Steen’s oil painting The Tooth‑Puller, executed in 1651, portrays a bustling interior scene centered on a dental extraction. The work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age and is part of the collection of the Mauritshuis in The Hague.

Subject & Meaning

At the composition’s core a tooth‑puller, dressed in a brown coat and black hat, leans over a seated patient, clutching a tooth with forceps. Around them a small crowd—men, women, and a curious boy—watch the procedure, their expressions ranging from concern to fascination, underscoring the public spectacle of medical practices in 17th‑century Dutch life.

Technique & Style

Steen employs pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing illuminated figures against a darker background to heighten drama. The brushwork captures the texture of fabrics and the tension in the participants’ faces, while the palette of earthy tones reinforces the genre‑scene atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created during the height of Steen’s career, the painting entered the Mauritshuis collection in the early 19th century, where it has remained on public display. Its provenance prior to museum acquisition is documented through several Dutch inventories of the period.