Étienne Jeaurat

This snapshot-like study of two hairdressers at work is of an extraordinary vividness. The somewhat stocky man on the left, seen in three-quarters view from behind, is combing and grooming an allonge wig, while his colleague holds a tray with scissors. The visual interaction between the wig on the wig stand and the shock of hair worn by a real person provides a humorous touch. The poses of the elegantly dressed men show how engrossed they are in their work; the strained posture of the hairdresser on the left with one leg resting on the foot of the wig stand is an indication of his keen concentration. Jeaurat demonstrates considerable deftness and virtuosity in his depiction of this everyday scene from the courtly age.

The painter and engraver, Étienne Jeaurat, studied under Nicolas Vleughel, who took him to Rome in 1724. In 1733, he was made a member of the Académie Royale de Peinture, all of whose honours were bestowed on him in the course of his long and illustrious career. Jeaurat initially went in for history painting, but later concentrated on contemporary genre pictures. In his genre painting and still lifes he frequently emulated Chardin’s style so well that his pictures were frequently mistaken for those of the latter. Jeaurat is at his best, however, as a chronicler with his accurately and often humorously observed depictions of turbulent Parisian street life, which in themselves are of cultural-historical value. Slightly light-stained, occasional traces of previous mounting verso, otherwise in excellent condition.