Lansdown Fair, near Bath

This painting depicts Lansdown fair that took place annually just outside Bath. The fair was a popular theme in the nineteenth century, perhaps the most well know representation being the painting Derby Day by William Powell Frith (Tate Britain), a sketch for which is in the V&A's collection.

In this painting the light clouds create a backdrop to the figures in the centre of the painting. This draws our attention to the various characters in the left foreground as they play a game of nine pins. A number of the figures were based on local characters from Bath where Barker worked. The upright central figure is believed to be John Palmer, a resident of Bath. Barker's attention to detail creates a keenly-observed picture of the various activities pursued at this annual fair.