The Priest and the Barber
1850
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This watercolor shows a crowded, dim room with five people inside. Two men in the center—one in a priest’s robe, the other in a barber’s apron—stand close, looking at a book together. A woman in a blue dress leans over a shelf, while another woman in a patterned shawl stands near a window. A man in a patterned coat and hat sits in the corner, and a dog lies on the floor. The walls are plain, with a few small shelves holding jars and bottles. The title at the bottom says *The Priest and the Barber*, which hints this might be a scene from a play or story. The artist used soft colors and quick brushstrokes to show the busy, lived-in space. If you like this style, look up John Augustus Atkinson for more of his work.
