Tavern Interior with a Foot Operation — Attributed to Anthonie Victorijns (Flemish, ca. 1620–1656)
Medium: Oil on oak panel
Dimensions: 24.5 × 31.5 cm (9.6 × 12.4 in.)
Framed dimensions: 40 × 46.5 cm (15 3/4 × 18.3 in.)
School: 17th-Century Flemish
Imported from: Belgium
Status: For sale (post-conservation)
A Rare Glimpse into Early Medicine
This 17th-century painting, attributed to Anthonie Victorijns, portrays a theatrical yet intimate scene in a rustic tavern: a foot operation carried out in full view. Three animated figures huddle around the patient, whose leg is propped on a bench. Their expressive gestures suggest a blend of concern, routine, and dry humor—an honest portrayal of daily life in early modern Flanders.
Genre Painting in the Flemish Tradition
Scenes like this were especially popular in the Low Countries during the 1600s. Genre painting flourished under masters like David Teniers the Younger, who influenced Victorijns. These works often combined observational realism with gentle moral commentary. In this case, the tavern setting functions as a stage where community, discomfort, and improvisation meet.
Victorijns adopted Teniers’ small-scale format and narrative charm. He filled his interiors with warmth, wit, and intricate detail. For instance, the anatomical chart pinned to the wall and the jugs hanging overhead hint at a rough blend of medical knowledge and folk wisdom.
Conservation and Historical Value
The oak panel remains structurally sound. Conservation efforts will soon stabilize the surface and recover the painting’s original glow. The frame, which matches the period, is also being restored. Once complete, Tavern Interior with a Foot Operation will serve as an exceptional example of Flemish genre painting—rich in visual storytelling and cultural insight.
Two known versions of Tavern Interior with a Foot Operation attributed to Anthonie Victorijns:
- Museum Gouda, Netherlands: This version is part of the Museum Gouda collection. You can view it here: Anthonie Victorijns – Foot Surgery.Wikimedia Commons
- Wellcome Collection, London: Another version is housed in the Wellcome Collection. You can explore it here: Anthonie Victorijns – Foot Operation.
For more Flemish works, visit our Northern European Art Collection.