Artwork

Russian Soldiers with a Barber

Russian Soldiers with a Barber, by Johann Adam Klein, ink, 1816
Russian Soldiers with a Barber, by Johann Adam Klein, ink, 1816

Russian Soldiers with a Barber is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Johann Adam Klein. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Johann Adam Klein's etching, Russian Soldiers with a Barber (1816), captures a serene, everyday scene in a wooded setting, featuring a group of four men engaged in a barbering activity amidst two Russian soldiers.

Subject & Meaning

The etching contrasts the formal attire of two standing Russian soldiers, one smoking a pipe, with the relaxed pose of a kneeling barber trimming a fourth man’s hair, while another man waits, leaning on a pole.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching heightened with white on gray-green paper, the work utilizes white highlights to achieve a crisp, detailed effect despite its monochrome nature, emphasizing the interplay of textures and poses.

History & Provenance

Created in 1816 by Johann Adam Klein, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.

Context

The piece reflects everyday life interactions between military personnel and civilians during the early 19th century, set against a backdrop of trees and a distant building.

Legacy

While the broader impact or notable exhibitions of 'Russian Soldiers with a Barber' are not detailed in the provided sources, it remains a characteristic example of Klein’s attention to mundane, human moments through etching.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Johann Adam Klein

Artist

Johann Adam Klein

Johann Adam Klein (1792–1875) was a German artist, born in Nuremberg.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.