Manicurist Collection

Pekinese dogs being groomed (b/w photo)
8664257 Pekinese dogs being groomed (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: We visit the aristocrats. Pekinese dogs being groomed)

The manicurist (colour litho)
8655790 The manicurist (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The manicurist. Woman giving a man a manicure. Postcard, early 20th century)

Barber giving manicure in Pondicherry, early 20th century (photo)
3788810 Barber giving manicure in Pondicherry, early 20th century (photo); (add.info.: Barber giving manicure, in Pondicherry. Photograph from early 20th century)

Irene Vanbrugh in Pinero's play The Gay Lord Quex
Irene Vanbrugh as the manicurist Sophy Fullgarney in Pinero's play The Gay Lord Quex Date: circa 1900s

Modern Beauty Culture: Materials needed for manicure (b / w photo)
5998105 Modern Beauty Culture: Materials needed for manicure (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Materials needed for manicure)

Manicure, 1923
During a busy day of shopping, a lady stops at Marshall and Snelgrove for a much-needed manicure. Date: 1923

Modern Beauty Culture: The electric manicure machine (b / w photo)
5998097 Modern Beauty Culture: The electric manicure machine (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The electric manicure machine)

The Manicure (oil on panel)
740646 The Manicure (oil on panel) by Ernst, Rudolphe (1854-1932); 71.8x92.1 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; German, out of copyright

The Divinity that Shapes our Ends by Lindsay Cable
A rather tranquil scene showing a man having his nails manicured by a pretty beautician. Date: 1930

Manicure and Pedicure - India
Indian man offering a manicure and a pedicure at Puducherry

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Step back in time to the early 20th century in Pondicherry, where a barber skillfully gives a manicure, setting the stage for the evolution of this beauty ritual. Fast forward to the roaring '20s, as depicted in Pinero's play "The Gay Lord Quex," where Irene Vanbrugh's character embraces the latest manicure trends. Flash forward again to the 1930s, as depicted in "Modern Beauty Culture," where manicure materials such as nail files, polish, and cuticle sticks are meticulously arranged. The introduction of the electric manicure machine in the same decade revolutionized the process, making it faster and more efficient. Artistically, manicures have been captured in various forms, from the intricate oil on panel painting "The Manicure," to Lindsay Cable's poetic exploration of the human experience in "The Divinity that Shapes our Ends." Today, manicures continue to be a cherished self-care practice, with the rich history of this ancient art form continuing to inspire and delight. And as we've seen throughout history, from India to the West, the manicure remains a testament to the enduring allure of beauty and self-expression.