subject: The Whole Life of Charles Burton Barber [print this page] The Whole Life of Charles Burton Barber The Whole Life of Charles Burton Barber
Charles Burton Barber, born in 1845 and passed away in year of 1894, was regarded as the most established genre and animal painter in England. He had gained great success all his life. In time before his 18 years old, Barber studied as a member of Academism in London. In 1864, silver medal had touched upon his antique genre paintings. Later in 1866, he continuously exhibited his early artworks in RA of Britain during his dwelling at Notting Hill areas.
Best of all, Barber had then become one of the most popular artists. Even, he drew the pet dog for Victoria in early seventies of 19th century. Proud to say, Off to School, created in 1883, won him a deserved reputation- becoming the one of Royal Society.
In his work Off to School, a young aristocratic girl was going to school with her bag, convoyed by the St. Bernard, whose left ear was slightly clasped by the little cute girl. All gives the young girl a sense of security, which has been graphically depicted upon the gestures and the little cheek of the girl. Undoubtedly, the breathtaking ability to draw lively by catching the vividness of one's feel and expression indicate super skills of Barber and, his particular achievement.
In 1894, invited by Victoria, Barber drew an oil painting of the Queen's carriage, which was also his drawing for the last time. By the way, most of his artworks had been buried with him before long his death.
Additionally, as one of the painters who had held the most art exhibitions in RA, he was meanwhile the painter of Manchester Art Gallery, Art Club, Walker Art Gallery and RA.
Barber's work could be one of the purist ones in western fine art history. The main characters of his works are pure and cuteness, most of which come from children and animals. For example, in his painting A Special Pleader, Barber described a girl's grievance by illustrating her lonely leaning on the wall and a dog's juggling at her. On the ground lying her beloved doll, which could never please her at this very moment. Or we could see the little girl just wanted her parents' company, but her mom and dad were too busy to tell fairy stories for her. Or there're some of other reasons. Whatever, imagination cannot go further enough! From this painting, the girl's posture entirely showed her complaint from outside. And the dog may long for being her company, while she was rejected with coolness. In all, all is vividly depicted and becomes real and alive from Barber's hand of God!
To make a general survey of Western fine art history, Charles Burton Barber was another pure painter except for Henry Rousseau. Differently, he was well in painting of children and animals; while Rousseau was an expert in beautiful and visionary dreams depiction. But it should be said that they are all great painters and had make big differences in art field. It's nothing but the two's purity and innocence for true art that made them get real success.
