A scene in a barber's shop in which the centre figure is a man seated, full-face, swathed in a sheet, while a boy (left) applies tongs to his hair, which a man (right) is combing. In the foreground (left) a customer is seated, clasping his bald head with a concerned expression as he reads a newspaper "Morning post" dated Nov. 3, 1807. Behind him, two men, their hair freshly curled, stand in profile to the left before a looking-glass (left) adjusting their cravats. Beside them is a barber's block with a large, dressed wig. On the extreme right a barber shaves a man whose face is lathered; a low table to his left contains other shaving equipment. Next, a stout man wearing top-boots, standing full-face, turning his head upwards and in profile to the left, stanches a cut on his cheek with a towel. A boy stands beside him holding a barber's basin. In the centre foreground two dogs tug at a bag-wig. A barber's block has been overturned (right). Wigs and wig-boxes decorate the back wall
Description:
Title from print based on this design: "The barbers shop" published by J. Jones on 12 May 1785 "from an original drawing by H. Bunbury Esqr. in the possession of Sr. Joshua Reynolds, to whom this plate is inscribed by his much obliged & most humble servant, John Jones.", Date of this drawing based on the date of the newspaper in the image., and Light crease down part of middle. Tear on the left hand side, and over all slight discoloration, scuffs. Light pencil drawing on verso.
Subject (Topic):
Barbers, Barbershops, Dogs, Hairdressing, Hairstyles, Shaving, Shaving equipment, and Wigs
Toms, W. H. (William Henry), approximately 1700-1765, printmaker
Published / Created:
[circa 1730-1745]
Call Number:
Print10157
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Description:
Title supplied by curator., Date and place of publication from British Museum website., Description from British Museum: A satire [of] political ignorance set in a country barber-surgeon's shop in which the people have been given the heads of animals. At centre left, an old woman with the head of a cat, is being bled by a man with the head of an elephant whose hand is on her left breast, a monkey-headed boy holds a basin to catch the blood spurting from her arm. Behind them a man, with a boar's head wearing a work-apron reads from the Grub Street Journal to a man with the head of an ass and a bell round his neck. In the centre a cat-man sitting on a barrel holding a shaving dish has his whiskers trimmed by a barber with an ape's head on top of which is a flamboyant hat with long feathers. An ape-man behind waits his turn, and a man with two wooden legs and a crutch leaves through an open door. Overhead on the left is a projecting sign from which hangs a board showing an owl beneath which is written "Shave & Bleed for A Peny". Stuffed creatures hang from the ceiling: a grotesque fish, an eel with gaping moth, and an ape. The wall at the rear has been chalked with tallies and three wigs hang from it. A table in the foreground on the right has pulled teeth and various barbers' instruments on it. A hat with a large feather lies on the ground., This electronic record is derived from historic data and may not reflect our current information. Review and updating of records is ongoing., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Barber surgery & surgeons; Barber shops, interior.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Topic):
Great Britain, Politics and government, Phlebotomy, Barbers, Barbershops, Peg legs, Shaving, Wigs, Donkeys, Swine, Monkeys, Cats, Surgical instruments, Crutches, and Elephants
Title and date supplied by curator., Verse below image., and This electronic record is derived from historic data and may not reflect our current information. Review and updating of records is ongoing.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Topic):
Great Britain, Politics and government, Phlebotomy, Barbers, Barbershops, Peg legs, Shaving, Wigs, Donkeys, Swine, Monkeys, Cats, Elephants, Teeth, and Newspapers