The Barber Shop 1915

"The Barber Shop" is an etching by American artist John Sloan, created in 1915. The artwork captures the bustling atmosphere of a barbershop, showcasing the daily lives of everyday people. Sloan was known for his depictions of urban life in New York City, and this print exemplifies his Ashcan School style, characterized by gritty realism and social commentary. The print depicts a barber cutting a man's hair, while another customer waits patiently in a chair. A woman in the foreground is seen performing a seemingly domestic chore, perhaps waiting for her husband to finish his appointment. The composition, with its emphasis on light and shadow, further enhances the scene's realism, creating a sense of intimacy and observation.