Beauty Parlor (Verschonerung) Jules Pascin (1885-1930)

The drawing presents a scene centered around what appears to be a cosmetic procedure. A stout figure, rendered with exaggerated features and a stern expression, dominates the left side of the composition. He holds a long, slender instrument – likely intended for facial manipulation – at an acute angle towards a reclining individual. The man receiving treatment is depicted in profile, his body elongated and seemingly suspended by the apparatus.
The artist employs a limited palette; primarily shades of brown, green, and blue are used to delineate form and suggest light. Lines are bold and expressive, contributing to a sense of caricature and distortion. The figure performing the procedure possesses an almost comical bulkiness, while the recipient appears passively subjected to his ministrations.
A small table laden with bottles and implements sits in the background, further establishing the setting as a salon or treatment room. A sheet of paper held by the man on the left displays what seems to be a diagram or schematic – perhaps illustrating the procedure itself. The presence of this document adds another layer of complexity, suggesting a clinical or technical approach to beauty enhancement.
Subtleties within the drawing hint at a critique of societal pressures surrounding appearance and the lengths individuals might go to in pursuit of idealized aesthetics. The exaggerated proportions and somewhat grotesque rendering of the practitioner could be interpreted as a commentary on the potential for manipulation and exploitation inherent in such industries. The passive posture of the recipient implies a vulnerability, raising questions about agency and consent within the context of beauty treatments. Overall, the work conveys a sense of unease and satire regarding contemporary notions of beauty and self-image.