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"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
~Isaiah 12:2
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"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."
​~C.S. Lewis

Barbershops and Essays

10/3/2017

8 Comments

 
My first college writing assignment was to write an art critique of a painting or photograph of my choice. I chose to write about Norman Rockwell's Shuffleton's Barbershop (shown below). I really enjoyed writing this, especially because it reminds me of my Pappaw's barbershop, who I miss dearly. Anyway, on to the essay!

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Fig. 1
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Fig. 2

Small Town Values

A look at Norman Rockwell's Shuffleton's Barbershop

Shuffleton’s Barbershop (see fig. 1) by Norman Rockwell is an iconic view into small town America. Painted as a cover for The Saturday Evening Post in 1950, the original canvas now resides in Massachusetts’ Berkshire Museum. This beautiful work was inspired by a photograph of a barbershop near Rockwell’s home (see fig. 2). Rockwell uses oil on canvas to bring out the warmth of the scene, focusing on the men playing their instruments in the back room. This painting idealizes the values of small town America in 1950.

The men seem to value independence. A patriotic poster is proudly displayed on the walls, and a rifle is propped against a nearby shelf. The words on the outside of the window, “Shuffleton Prop.” announce to us that one of the musicians owns the shop. Even how the painting is viewed, from outside of a window, makes it appear that the barbershop is its own world. This is enhanced by the smoky tint on the back window, which encloses the view, focusing the viewer’s gaze on the interior of the shop.

The concept of hard work seems to be especially prevalent in this painting. President Truman, who was president in 1950, said, “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” Scattered throughout the scene is evidence that these men are at the end of a long day of work. A well worn broom leans against the doorframe, and the barber’s brush and razor are put away. Shoes and boots are by the fire, and coats have been hung up. The barber’s chair is empty, and even the cat seems to be resting. 

Shuffleton’s Barbershop expresses a feeling of community. Rockwell makes masterful use of warm lighting to emphasize the home-like atmosphere of the scene. The barbershop is a gathering place where stories are swapped, friendships are made, and a community is formed. Even at nighttime in cold weather, the barbershop is still a meeting place for friends. This unity and diversity is illustrated by the variety of instruments played by the musicians. Barbers bring people together; they know everyone, and everyone knows them.

Through Shuffleton’s Barbershop, Norman Rockwell illustrates the value of independence, hard work, and community. At the same time, it begs a question. Will our generation strive for the same values, or will we define our own ideals?
8 Comments
Phyllis Williams- Mammau
10/3/2017 09:24:47 am

Katie- you truly are a blessing. Pappau loved you so much! He would be honored that you miss his barbershop too. God is using you in a special way and I am thankful for it. You have become a very special godly young lady. You have wisdom beyond your years. Love you very much Miss Katie!!! Keep up the good work!

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Katie link
10/5/2017 05:10:34 pm

Thank you for the encouragement, Mammaw! I love you, too.

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Tim Brockway
10/3/2017 08:28:31 pm

Great piece of writing and analysis Katie. I've never read an art review that I can recall. But yours was truly insightful and informative and I truly enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing it with us!

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Katie link
10/5/2017 05:09:28 pm

Thank you for your feedback! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :-)

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Ellen link
10/4/2017 08:11:48 pm

Katie that was beautiful!!!

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Katie link
10/5/2017 05:11:23 pm

Thanks, Ellen!

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Uniform Juliet
10/25/2017 11:04:21 am

Hold your fire! It's me... your favorite paternal uncle... Mr. keep-my-name-off-that-internet-I-got-people-looking-for-me.

Congratulations! Your art critique blew the doors off Grundy County. That's all they were talking about at the grocery, so I had to run right home and read it.

I like it.

That may sound tepid, but it's high praise, really, since geezers never gush, especially us young ones.

Your piece smoked through the Shotgun Willie filter: You can’t make a record if you ain’t got something to say.

Well young lady, you do, and you did. Find an agent.

When we get a chance, lets compare writing scars. But first I must deal with today's toils and snares, before Mr. Piper comes to discuss terms, something about me and the grasshoppers taunting the ants, allegedly.

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Katie link
10/31/2017 03:21:21 pm

Thank you for the encouraging comment, Uncle Juliet! This really meant a lot. :D I'd love to compare writing scars sometime - just let me know when you and the grasshoppers are free...
Love you!

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    Behind the Keyboard

    Hey there, I'm Katie! I'm a bookworm trying to keep pace with my ever-growing "to read" pile.

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    "To love God passionately is to love truth passionately." ~ John Piper
    "I believe in Christ, like I believe in the sun - not because I can see it, but by it I can see everything else." ~C.S. Lewis
"My prayer is that when I die, all of hell rejoices that I am out of the fight."
​~C.S. Lewis
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