Luikse barbier, 1830 1830 - 1831

This lithograph, created anonymously around 1830, depicts a Liège barber at work. A key symbol here is the act of cutting hair, which throughout history, has signified profound transitions. Think of Samson's strength residing in his uncut locks or the tonsuring of monks as a renunciation of earthly ties. Here, in the politically charged atmosphere of 19th-century Europe, this everyday act takes on a new meaning. Note the variety of clients, their expressions ranging from stoic to uneasy, while the barber, a symbol of societal change, wields his scissors with purpose. Consider, too, how the gesture of cutting, of altering appearance, can be traced through time, from ancient rituals to modern fashion. It's a cyclical motif, ever resurfacing. The lithograph captures not just a scene, but an enduring human drama, a silent negotiation between tradition and transformation.