The artwork titled “The Barber (Composition No. 5)” was created by Arshile Gorky in 1933. This piece, rendered in oil on panel, measures 44.4 x 21.6 cm and belongs to the Cubism art movement. It falls under the abstract genre.
In the artwork, a central figure is depicted through geometric forms and angular lines, characteristic of Cubist influence. The predominant colors used are shades of gray, white, black, and accents of yellow and purple, creating a stark, yet balanced composition. The figure appears to be engaged in an activity, suggested by its title “The Barber,” with the abstract depiction leaving interpretation open to the viewer’s imagination. The composition exudes a structural harmony and invokes a contemplative observation of its abstract forms and muted palette.