Who painted The Barber's?

The Barber's was painted by James McNeill Whistler in 1887.

Where can I see The Barber's?

The Barber's is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Barber's?

The Barber's is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Barber's?

Museum-quality prints of The Barber's are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Barber's

James McNeill Whistler , 1887

The Barber's is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1887 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:on plate: (butterfly); on windows at left: HAIR CUTTING & SHAVING; on newspaper placards below these windows: FRED CARLOS; on doors at left: CUT / D3, HAIR / CUT / D2 (the 'D' in each case superscript); on tab: (butterfly) imp; onverso, by Whistler lower right: Chosen proof; possibly by Whistler, at lower left: No. 16

About this work

Overview

The Barber's is an etching and drypoint print created by James McNeill Whistler around 1887. It depicts a street scene centered on a barber shop, rendered in dark brown ink on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows a barber shop with a sign reading 'Hair Cutters and Shavers,' a lamppost, and people gathered nearby. The scene is observed with attention to detail, capturing the textures and expressions of the subjects.

Technique & Style

Whistler employed etching and drypoint techniques to achieve a sense of depth and texture. The use of dark brown ink and intricate lines creates a detailed image, characteristic of Whistler's experimental approach to printmaking.

Context

As an American expatriate artist working in the UK, Whistler's work reflects his emphasis on aesthetic harmony and refined composition, aligning with the 'art for art's sake' principles prevalent during the late 19th century.

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Artist & collection

Artist

James McNeill Whistler

James Abbott McNeill Whistler (; July 10, 1834 – July 17, 1903) was an American painter in oils and watercolor, and printmaker, active during the American Gilded Age and based primarily in the United Kingdom.