Artwork
A Barber holding a razor
A Barber holding a razor is a paint painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This painting portrays a barber holding a razor, part of a series of thirty-six works depicting various castes and occupations in South India. Characterized by a red border and distinctive visual elements, it is one of several paintings in the collection created by different artists.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a barber, identified by his razor, shown with his wife, both embodying their profession. The series aims to document the diverse occupations of South India, offering a glimpse into the region's societal structure during the time.
Technique & Style
The painting features a red border, a strip of tangled cloud at the top, and heavy looped shadows. While specifics of this work's style aren't detailed here, the use of shadows suggests an application of chiaroscuro, a technique employing strong contrasts of light and dark to create depth.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of an album with a 1799 J. Ruse watermark and a bookplate attributed to Joseph Whatley, bearing the motto 'Pelle Timorem'. The collection's artwork is attributed to three different artists, distinguished by their use of background colors and figure drawing styles.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
