Several dark suited men observing a surgery on a seated, unconscious patient performed by a man with white hair and beard.

“Ether Day, 1846”

This painting was created by Warren and Lucia Prosperi, completed in 2001. It was based on historical photographs and artifacts from the MGH Archives and Special Collections, plus a photograph staged for the purpose. Twenty people associated with MGH posed in the Ether Dome in January 2000, in costumes and make-up provided by the Department of Performing Arts at Emerson College, to depict the first successful public demonstration of surgical anesthesia.