“Visit with the Quack Doctor,” crafted by William Hogarth between circa 1743 and circa 1745, is an oil-on-canvas painting belonging to the Rococo art movement. The piece measures 68.5 by 89 centimeters and is part of Hogarth’s series “Mariage à la Mode.” This genre painting is currently housed at the National Gallery in London, UK.
The artwork depicts an intricate scene set within a quack doctor’s chamber. The interior is crowded with various anatomical specimens and medical paraphernalia. The central characters appear to be engaged in a dramatic discourse; the quack doctor, in an elaborate outfit, interacts with three other figures. To the left, a man in a long coat looks at the doctor with suspicion or curiosity, while a woman in a striking red and black dress seems to be interpreting or mediating the interaction. Another female figure on the far right appears distressed or contemplative, possibly reflecting the gravity or absurdity of their situation. The setting is filled with dark, albeit detailed, objects that contribute to an atmosphere of dubious medical practice and eccentricity, characteristic of Hogarth’s satirical narrative style.
