Friday, October 5, 2012

Print of the Day: Der Narresneider, 18th C

Der NarresneiderPrint, 18th Century
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II



This peculiar print is of unknown origin, but likely dates to the end of the Eighteenth Century. Since the myriad writing incorporated into the image is in Dutch and German, we can guess at its place of origin.

The image shows a man being treated by a doctor. That’s not so strange. What is strange is that he’s tied to the wall and the doctor is about to cut off his ear. Hmmm… Furthermore, the doctor has the face of Mr. Punch. Luckily for the patient, Dr. Punchinello has been distracted by a woman who seems to indicate that she has a bump on her head.

Since my German is quite bad and my Dutch is even worse, and, I can’t really make out what the text says, I’ll just let you decide what’s happening here.

The print is part of the Royal Collection.



2 comments:

Dashwood said...

Hmm. Where do you get these things?

I know enough German to figure that Narre Schneider is "Jester/Fool Cutter" although whether meant as a barber or surgeon or butcher is a question. Also who is the Fool and who is the patient is also a question.

In any event a fool can often make a cutting remark and some people are just so literal.

Ha Ha Funny joke. I make your ear go away. Ha Ha.

Joseph Crisalli said...

First laugh today.