![]() ![]() Celebrities from George Clooney to Graham Norton are sporting beards these days, and for those who have been standing out in the crowd for the last few decades it comes as a bit of a shock. There are clubs and associations around the world celebrating a rich variety of facial decoration. Thankfully, today there is much more freedom in that department, and the beard is currently enjoying a resurgence of popularity. For some men it came down to a choice between their beard and their job, as certain occupations (police, health care professionals, Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet) forbade facial hair. In the 1960s it was in protest against social constraints and repressive government policies that young people grew their hair and beards long and called themselves “Hippies.” In the ’70s and ’80s beards became unfashionable again, as money and success were seen as what society should be striving for once more. His neatly trimmed beard comes to a point, and brings to mind another Elizabethan gentleman, Sir Walter Raleigh. In those days a beard was a sign of manliness, but in the next century (the 17th) it became fashionable for men to be clean-shaven with long, curly hair (often wigs).įashions come and go (thank goodness) and not everyone follows the herd. There is some doubt as to what he really looked like, but this painting makes him look very cultured and intelligent: Shakespeare is thought to have been bearded too. Apparently he was also fond of fancy waistcoats and gold jewellery. Painting by American artist Norman Rockwell.Ī carefully manicured goatee, worn by Charles Dickens, gave him an air of distinction and individuality. A big white beard for example, as worn by Socrates and Santa Claus, is reassuring and conveys wisdom and kindness. Depending on the look you choose, the effect can vary enormously. ![]() Over the centuries, beards and moustaches have gone in and out of fashion. A good number of them come from Germany and Switzerland, where beard cultivation is a well developed art form. These guys have all been competitors in the World Beard and Moustache Championships over the years. ![]() Robert Downey, Jr., a renowned American actor who starred in top-grossing films such as The Avengers and Iron Man, has been maintaining the Balbo look for years as it matches his features pretty well. There are quite a few people around the world who take facial hair very seriously! The Balbo is among the most popular beard styles these days. The poster is long gone, but just a mention of the name Verdi instantly brings this handsome portrait back to me.ĭid you know that in the World Beard and Moustache Championships there is a category of beard called the “Verdi”? Of course there is. When I was at art school I had a poster of this image on my wall, so the splendid gentleman with his top hat and jaunty scarf would greet me often in the course of my day. The other day my daughter mentioned the great Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, and I was reminded of a fantastic portrait of him painted by Giovanni Boldini. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |