Artwork
The Toothpuller
The Toothpuller is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Pietro Longhi. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Pinacoteca di Brera.
About this work
Overview
The Toothpuller is a mid-18th-century oil painting by Pietro Longhi, dating to circa 1750. The work is a genre scene held in the collection of the Pinacoteca di Brera.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a dentist at work, set amidst a gathered crowd in a stone-walled room. The central figure, dressed in a long coat and white shirt, engages the audience while a figure on a bench, clutching a cloth to their mouth, suggests the immediate aftermath or anticipation of a tooth extraction.
Technique & Style
Longhi employs a muted color palette dominated by browns and grays, characteristic of his subtle approach to genre painting. The composition conveys a sense of everyday life through simple, observant detail.
History & Provenance
Created around 1750, the painting is part of the Pinacoteca di Brera's holdings, indicating its recognized value within Longhi's oeuvre and 18th-century Venetian art.
Context
As a genre scene, The Toothpuller reflects Longhi's interest in depicting mundane, often humorous aspects of Venetian life during the 18th century, contrasting with more prevalent aristocratic or religious themes.
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Artist & collection
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