“Satire on Physicians” is an artwork crafted by Antoine Watteau between the years 1708 and 1709. Executed with oil on panel, this genre painting belongs to the Rococo art movement. The artwork is currently housed in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia.
In the artwork, a group of figures is depicted in a lush, verdant landscape. The scene conveys a satirical narrative involving various characters, including individuals dressed in elaborate, possibly theatrical attire. Among them, a figure in a red robe on the right appears to be in a position of authority or importance, possibly symbolizing a physician, which aligns with the satirical subject matter. The composition and the figures’ expressions and postures suggest a critical or humorous commentary on the medical profession of the time. The overall atmosphere, punctuated by the contrast between the detailed characters and the bucolic background, exemplifies Watteau’s keen observation of human nature and society.
