Quack Medicine Collection

Cartoon from Puck, between 1880 and 1889. Creators: Joseph Keppler, Bernhard Gillam
Cartoon from Puck, between 1880 and 1889

AI IMAGE - A plague doctor, 17th century, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - A plague doctor, 17th century, (2023). Physician who treated victims of bubonic plague, wearing an ankle-length overcoat and a bird-like beak mask

AI IMAGE - A plague doctor, 17th century, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - A plague doctor, 17th century, (2023). Physician who treated victims of bubonic plague, wearing an ankle-length overcoat and a bird-like beak mask

The Quack Doctor, after 1763. Creator: Pietro Longhi
The Quack Doctor, after 1763

Removing the Rocks in the Head, c.1550-c.1600. Creator: Unknown
Removing the Rocks in the Head, c.1550-c.1600

The Quack, c.1619-c.1625. Creator: Anon
The Quack, c.1619-c.1625

The quack, 1650-1679. Creator: Jan Steen
The quack, 1650-1679. Attributed to Jan Havicksz. Steen

The quack, 1650-1660. Creator: Jan Steen
The quack, 1650-1660

The Quacksalver, 1648. Creator: Adriaen van Ostade
The Quacksalver, 1648

A Strange Case of Epizooty, from Puck, n.d. Creator: Joseph Keppler
A Strange Case of Epizooty, from Puck, n.d

A quack medicine seller at a fair in a small town in Germany, 1820 (chromolitho)
2782641 A quack medicine seller at a fair in a small town in Germany, 1820 (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Poster for Elixir Godineau, c. 1900 (colour litho)
747140 Poster for Elixir Godineau, c.1900 (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Lithograph by Charles Verneau, Paris.); Photo eBarbara Singer; French

Plate 40 from Los Caprichos : Of what ill will he die? (De que mal morira?), 1799

Plate 33 from Los Caprichos : To the Count Palatine (Al Conde Palatino. ), 1799
Plate 33 from Los Caprichos :To the Count Palatine (Al Conde Palatino.), 1799

The Quacksalver (copy). n. d. Creator: Unknown
The Quacksalver (copy).n.d

The Quack, 1610-85. Creator: Adriaen van Ostade
The Quack, 1610-85

The Quack, 1610-85. Creator: Unknown
The Quack, 1610-85

Brandy or Cure Seller, mid to late 17th century. Creator: Abraham Bosse
Brandy or Cure Seller, mid to late 17th century

The Quack Dentist, 1765. Creator: Giacomo Leonardis
The Quack Dentist, 1765

The Lovesick Maiden, ca. 1660. Creator: Jan Steen
The Lovesick Maiden, ca. 1660

A Mountebank of Old London, (1928). Creator: Unknown
A Mountebank of Old London, (1928). Portrait of Dutchman Hans Buling, an itinerant medicine salesman, with his monkey. After The Infallible Mountebank, or Quack Doctor

Loopt Loopt Met Groot Verblyden, , Hier Salmen twyf van Lije Snyden, 17th century. Artist: HW Weydman
Loopt Loopt Met Groot Verblyden, Hier Salmen twyf van Lije Snyden, 17th century. This image shows a quack doctor about to make an incision in a womans head to remove the stones that are supposedly

An Intinerant Doctor at Tien-sing, 1843. Artist: P Lightfoot
An Intinerant Doctor at Tien-sing, 1843. After Thomas Allom (1804?1872). From China Illustrated, by Thomas Allom. [Fisher, Son & Co. London & Paris, 1843]

The Sick Goose and the Council of Health, 19th century. Artist: George Cruikshank
The Sick Goose and the Council of Health, 19th century. Satire on quack doctors and their patent medicines

The Charlatan At The Louvre, Paris, (1885). Artist: Jean Duplessis-Bertaux
The Charlatan At The Louvre, Paris, (1885). An 18th-century quack plays to a crowd

The German Charlatan, (1885). Artist: Jean Duplessis-Bertaux
The German Charlatan, (1885). An 18th-century quack doctor advertises his wares to a crowd

The charlatan of the Middle Ages, c1900. French advertising for Liebig Extract of Meat. Private Collection

Treatment of Tuberculosis using electricity, 1901. Francisque Crotte demonstrating his cure for tuberculosis using electricity produced by an electrostatic machine

The Quack Doctors Prayer!!, July 30, 1801. July 30, 1801. Creator: Thomas Rowlandson
The Quack Doctors Prayer!!, July 30, 1801

Phrenology chart

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Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, to witness the captivating world of quack medicine. Travel back in time with us to a small town in Germany in 1820, where a mesmerizing fair is taking place. Amongst the lively atmosphere, an intriguing figure catches your eye - a quack medicine seller. With his flamboyant attire and persuasive words, he promises miraculous cures for all ailments. Fast forward to the turn of the century, and you find yourself captivated by a vibrant poster advertising Elixir Godineau. This colorful lithograph entices onlookers with its bold claims of healing powers. It seems that throughout history, these charlatans have always found ways to capture our attention. Delve further into the past as we explore Francisco Goya's Los Caprichos series from 1799. Plate 40 asks the haunting question: "Of what ill will he die?" These satirical etchings expose the deceitful practices of quacks who prey upon vulnerable individuals seeking relief from their suffering. Plate 33 presents another scathing critique titled "To the Count Palatine. " Goya's sharp wit exposes how even those in positions of power can fall victim to these cunning impostors. As we journey through time, we encounter various depictions of quacksalvers - mysterious figures peddling their dubious potions and remedies. From unknown artists' renditions like "The Quacksalver" or Adriaen van Ostade's portrayal aptly named "The Quack, " they all share one common goal: exploiting people's desperation for health and well-being. Abraham Bosse's mid-to-late 17th-century engraving showcases a brandy or cure seller enticing potential customers with his wares. The line between legitimate remedies and snake oil becomes blurred as profit takes precedence over genuine care for others' welfare.