Search the collection
A Dress Rehearsal
painting
Barnard, Frederick
Europe, United Kingdom, England
1868
1936.117
oil paint
76.1 x 86.3 cm
A Dress Rehearsal 1868
Frederick Barnard 1846-96
Oil on panel
Being a street acrobat was an acceptable occupation
for a member of the Victorian underclass.
This picture gives a glimpse behind the scenes.
The gymnastic accessories, the dog and the drum
all enliven an otherwise dull attic.
The father is thoughtful and the son healthy:
their existence does not seem too bleak.
The artist’s need to sell his paintings
made this palatable gloss on poverty necessary:
no patron wanted suffering in their drawing room.
Barnard specialised in scenes of working class life.
He illustrated the works of Charles Dickens
and contributed drawings to many magazines.
Mrs C S Garnett bequest 1936.117
Collections search powered by KE EMu software