The Quack Doctor
after 1763
Step right up! In this lively Venetian scene, a charismatic charlatan stands on a makeshift stage, hawking his miraculous elixirs to a captivated crowd. Pietro Longhi captures the theatricality of 18th-century Venice perfectly, with nearly everyone wearing the iconic bauta masks that allowed citizens to hide their identities while mingling. It's a hilarious snapshot of gullibility and spectacle, showing how even the wealthy and noble were easily fooled by a good sales pitch and a bit of mystery.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
Location: Ca' Rezzonico, Venice
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