Barberen i Steenløse 1796 - 1802

M. W. Schmith made this print of "The Barber in Steenløse" using an etching technique. The image is created by incising lines into a metal plate, inking the plate so that the ink fills the lines, and then transferring the ink to paper under high pressure. In this case, the process emphasizes the figure's caricatured features, the barber’s humble profession, and the work involved in providing a shave. The linear quality of the etching, which is both precise and delicate, lends itself well to capturing the textures of the barber's clothing and tools. These tools of his trade – the bowl, the towel, the razor – speak to the skill and labor involved in this everyday service. The print underscores the importance of recognizing the value and artistry inherent in even the most ordinary of trades, and the human labor required to deliver such services to the community.