Thomas Barker or Thomas Jones Barker
Thomas Barker or Thomas Jones Barker, identified by both names in catalog records, was an artist whose documented professional activity spans a narrow, focused period between 1785 and 1789. The works attributed to the artist are primarily observational drawings, suggesting a concentrated practice in draftsmanship and preparatory studies during the late 18th century.
The artist’s output is established through its presence in significant institutional holdings. Five drawings attributed to Thomas Barker or Thomas Jones Barker are held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, providing a foundational record of their artistic endeavors. These works demonstrate a variety of subjects, ranging from large-scale landscape studies, such as Large Tree with Lake and Mountains in Background, to intimate figural compositions and genre scenes.
The drawings include complex, dual-sided works such as Bust of a Woman (recto); Draped Figure, Three-Quarter Length (verso), and the domestic observation Two Girls Playing on Combs (recto); Sketch of Seated Woman with Fragment of Another Figure (verso). Other notable pieces represented in the collection include the market sketch Huckster Cart and Child with Musical Instrument. The verifiable existence of these drawings confirms the artist’s brief, documented period of activity. Today, the study of these works, often presented as museum-quality reproductions, continues as the historical record enters the public domain, making high-quality prints accessible for research and appreciation.
