After training under his equally successful father, Pieter Barbiers (1717-1756), the son soon found his thematic specialisation in the depiction of landscapes. Thereby, he particularly preferred views from the surroundings of Haarlem and Drenthe as well as Brabant.
Alongside painting, Barbiers’ affection was particularly directed toward drawings, of which he left behind an expansive oeuvre. These works are mostly monochrome grey, but still fascinate with their many built-up layers and great love of detail.