Painting - Edward Hopper 'BarberShop'

This intriguing interior scene by Edward Hopper presents a rather mundane existence of a barber and his assistant who performed manicures for the customers of the barbershop. Her disinterest and disconnected expression are typical of Hopper's paintings, which is in stark contrast to some of the interior scenes depicted by the 17th century Dutch painters. Their depictions are a celebration of grand pursuits in life, be it a geographer, mathematician, or scientist. However, the main figure in the barbershop seems to live an existence where career is far from the driving force in her life. In contrast to this is the barber, who has a rigid pride about him, a mastery, almost obsessive respect and ritualistic pursuit of his life's work. This intrigue is caused by the framing of the painting, with a portion of his body cut off, and his back to the viewer, creating a sense of mystery, but also focus and purpose. The stark whiteness of his jacket is a continuation of the walls, suggesting he is a product of his environment, in contrast to the woman, whose green clothes are far from the whitewash of the walls. There are small suggestions to the outside world, the decorative iron work of the stair, the colours of the barbers pole, and the curtain along the wall. Spatially, the scenes is quite interesting. the stair in the foreground of the painting suggest a lowered space, down from street level, as does the angle of light flooding into the room. The white wall in the background gives a starkness to the room, suggesting a clinical, 'surgery' like appearance, as well as the appearance of the barber, the scene evokes memories of a dentist, or a hospital. And from here the narrative of the barber develops..................