Background
Barber was born in Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, and studied from the age of 18 at the Royal Academy, London - receiving a silver medal for drawing in 1864, and first exhibiting there in 1866.
Barber was born in Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, and studied from the age of 18 at the Royal Academy, London - receiving a silver medal for drawing in 1864, and first exhibiting there in 1866.
A number of his portraits are in the Royal Collection. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1866 to 1893. Barber became a very popular sporting and animal painter, specialising particularly in sentimental portraits of dogs, often with children.
His work ranged from photographically realistic to quick sketches.
Although some have regarded his work as overly sentimental, his work remains popular, largely because of his competent painting. He died in London soon afterwards.
His place as foremost painter of children and pets was taken by Arthur Elsley. Many of Barber’s paintings were made into prints, usually in the medium of photogravure.
He exhibited at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Walker Art and Manchester Art Much of his art is at the Lady Lever Art in Portuguese Sunlight.
In 1883 he was elected a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.