Quack Doctor Presenting his Potions to a Group of Bystanders

Adriaen van Ostade

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a group of people at a marketplace. Five individuals are visible, with four fully shown and one turning towards the viewer. The central figure stands behind a covered barrel, surrounded by others. One person is bending forward with a basket, and a child stands in the foreground facing the central figure. The person on the far right holds a long object, possibly a stick or sword, and is dressed in a cloak and hat. The individuals are dressed in long robes and hats, suggesting a rural setting. In the background, there are tents and trees, depicting an outdoor trading scene under foliage. The image is in black and white.