De barbier c. 1843 - 1920

Curator: This lithograph, "De barbier" by F. Steub, made sometime between 1843 and 1920, feels like an early comic strip. The many vignettes seem to tell a story, perhaps satirizing a barber's profession or clientele. What are your thoughts on this compilation? Editor: I'm struck by how much storytelling is packed into a single print. How does the choice of lithography and engraving inform your understanding of its purpose? Curator: That's a pertinent observation. Consider the material accessibility of printmaking during this period. Lithographs, specifically, allowed for the wider distribution of images. The technique itself—drawing with a greasy crayon on stone, then transferring that image—speaks to a particular moment in the history of reproductive technologies, allowing artists like Steub to reach a broad audience. Isn't the theme of 'caricature' also key? Editor: Definitely. Each scene exaggerates everyday experiences. The use of printing suggests it wasn't necessarily meant for the elite. Does this imply a social commentary through accessible imagery? Curator: Precisely. We must consider who was buying and consuming these images. Was this accessible popular culture? What are the means of distribution for this particular medium? The images comment on social roles and perhaps point to societal anxieties related to class, labour, and appearances. How else could the engraving medium have contributed to these purposes? Editor: I didn’t think about the deliberate choice of making these prints available. Thinking about who would have purchased them helps me understand that this work might engage in commentary about daily life beyond just being comedic. Thanks for shedding light on these points! Curator: Absolutely! Reflecting on the materiality and modes of production opens up intriguing avenues for interpretation.