Artwork
A Barber Cleaning the Ear of a Courtesan
A Barber Cleaning the Ear of a Courtesan is a print by the Impressionist artist Shri Gobinda Chandra Roy. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 19th-century Indian woodcut depicts a courtesan undergoing ear cleaning by a barber, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of India's emerging middle class under British rule.
Subject & Meaning
The courtesan's attire—a fancy sari, jewels, and a flower in her hair—and her leisure activities, such as smoking a hookah, symbolize the luxury and aspirations of this new middle class.
Technique & Style
Originally a Kalighat painting, the image was reproduced as a woodcut for mass distribution, reflecting the influence of mechanical reproduction on popular Indian art during the late 1800s.
Context
The piece was likely influenced by the popularity of British magazines among Indian households, which shaped local tastes for Western styles and commodities, with cheaper prints catering to a broader audience.
History & Provenance
Now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, specific details about the work's creation and ownership history are not provided in the available information.
Artist & collection
Krishna weighed against precious objects(?) (verso), from a Kalighat album
Das Avataras, Ten Incarnations of Vishnu (verso), from a Kalighat album
Battle Scene at Kurukshetra from the Mahabharata War (verso), from a Kalighat album
Jatayu hinders Ravana’s chariot trying to prevent Sita’s abduction (recto), from a Kalighat album
Krishna Stroking Radha's Feet
Leaf from a Kalighat album: Rama and Sita in the Royal Palace (recto); Radha and Krishna (verso)
Kalighat Painting
Radha Stroking Krishna's Feet
