A Barber's Shop
[published 1780] reissued ca. 1800
Medium
Etching and aquatint; later reissue
Dimensions
Sheet: 9 5/16 × 7 3/8 in. (23.7 × 18.7 cm) Mount: 11 5/8 x 9 9/16 in. (29.6 x 24.3 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
Accession Number
59.533.389
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the bustling chaos of 18th-century London with *A Barber's Shop*, a lively satirical print etched by Henry Brookes and featuring the hand of renowned caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson. Published in 1780 and reissued around 1800, this etching and aquatint captures the everyday absurdity of a barber's trade, complete with hapless men and mischievous dogs amid the snip of scissors and froth of shaving lather. Rowlandson, a master of Georgian satire, delighted audiences with his witty observations of social follies, making this work a snapshot of urban life during Britain's Age of Satire. The medium of etching and aquatint was revolutionary for its time, allowing Rowlandson to achieve rich tonal depths and fluid lines that brought his humorous scenes to vivid life—far beyond simple line drawings. Aquatint's granular texture mimics the messy energy of a crowded shop, enhancing the print's comedic punch. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, it exemplifies how affordable prints democratized art, poking fun at class pretensions and human vanity for the masses. This reissue underscores the enduring appeal of Rowlandson's roguish charm, inviting us to chuckle at timeless follies while reflecting on the cultural role of satire in critiquing everyday professions. A perfect gem for lovers of British caricature!
About the Artist
Henry Brookes|Thomas Rowlandson (British|British) · 1757 |1786 –1827 |1795
British, London 1757–1827 London|British, active 1786–95