Sheet Music: Nestor the Hairdresser c. 19th century

Curator: This is an intriguing piece of sheet music entitled "Nestor the Hairdresser," created by an anonymous artist. The image itself is about 14 by 14 centimeters. Editor: It's quite unsettling, actually. The hairdresser has this almost manic energy, and the client looks terrified. What's the story here? Curator: The text indicates it's a "comical scene," but perhaps it’s meant to be darkly humorous. Note the strategic use of the scissors as an almost threatening image. Editor: I see it! The salon setting, though seemingly ordinary, becomes a site of anxiety. This speaks to the commodification of beauty and the pressures put on individuals to conform. Curator: Precisely. And the figure of Nestor himself, forever captured mid-cut, becomes a lasting symbol of those societal anxieties. Editor: It’s definitely left me with a lot to consider about beauty standards and the power dynamics within seemingly mundane interactions.