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Gingival inflammation in the Flemish painter Hendrick ter Brugghen's Unequal Couple painting

British Dental Journal volume 229, pages 383–385 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

The evaluation of painting in terms of medicine and dentistry is increasingly shared in academic publications. The clear depiction of gingival inflammation seen in the female figure in Hendrick ter Brugghen's Unequal couple attracted our attention. It is interesting to note the meticulous transfer of the actual condition of the diseased gingival tissues and the painter's very high observational ability. Although there may be many more examples of observational depictions, we believe that 'dental humanities' will develop by discussing such art works.

Key points

  • Reading dental problems in paintings.

  • Investigating dental humanities.

  • Examining periodontitis in a gummy smile case.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Şakayık Sk. No:75 D8, Nisantasi, Istanbul, 34365, Turkey

    Korkud Demirel

  2. Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of History of Medicine and Ethics, Başıbüyük Yolu Sok 9/1, Maltepe, Istanbul, 34854, Turkey

    Şefik Görkey

Authors
  1. Korkud Demirel
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  2. Şefik Görkey
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Demirel, K., Görkey, Ş. Gingival inflammation in the Flemish painter Hendrick ter Brugghen's Unequal Couple painting. Br Dent J 229, 383–385 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-2054-0

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