Artwork
A Chinese barber with a seated customer
A Chinese barber with a seated customer is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Chinnery. It dates from 14 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a drawing depicting a Chinese barber attending to a seated client.
About this work
Overview
The work is a drawing depicting a Chinese barber attending to a seated client. The client lifts a fan to shield his face, while the barber stands behind him, poised with his tools.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a moment of everyday grooming in a traditional setting, emphasizing the interaction between service provider and patron. The fan, a common accessory, suggests concern for privacy or modesty during the shave.
Technique & Style
Executed in drawing, the piece relies on line work to define figures and surroundings, using contrast to highlight the barber’s posture and the fan’s delicate form. The style reflects a straightforward, observational approach typical of genre scenes.
Context
The drawing belongs to a broader tradition of Chinese genre artwork that records quotidian life. Such works often served as visual records of social customs, offering insight into personal care practices of the period.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
George Chinnery (Chinese: 錢納利; 5 January 1774 – 30 May 1852) was an English painter who spent most of his life in Asia, especially India and southern China.
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