For our third installment, we're back with a tried and tested theme, #Beards! This theme has been a regular feature since at least 2018, even though November is more associated with the moustache and #Movember. Why? Who knows! But the fashion for male facial hair looks set to continue in the 2020s and there are always some spectacular specimens in the archive. Enjoy!
David
A huge fan of the film and stage adaptations of Les Mis (based on the novel by Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, 1862) this carte de visite featuring Hugo sporting a fine beard seemed like the perfect fit! Hugely popular in the late nineteenth century, the carte de visite can be thought of as an early form of trading card, where enthusiasts would collect and trade sets. This led to many famous people posing for their own carte de visite portrait. 'Gotta catch 'em all!'
Above: From the Robert White Photography Collection. Link here: https://de-montfort.epexio.com/records/P/012
Katharine
If you aren’t too distracted by his companions, you’ll notice that the man in the striped bathing suit has a fine beard! I like this image because it seems to capture a moment of social change: the stern Victorian in his old fashioned costume and beard, with his young companions adopting a more relaxed pose. Even the technology used to record this moment was new: this is an early snapshot taken on a camera that could take a photograph quickly, allowing more candid, informal moments to be captured.
Above: Another image from the Robert White Collection! This is clearly a popular collection with us all.
Marina
In a book about preserving photographs I found an image of the famous cricketer, William Gilbert (W.G.) Grace, known for for his exceptional skills and often recognised by his iconic beard. Apparently beard maintenance can be painstaking work, much like preserving photographs, especially when moisture and humidity are uncontrolled. Not that Secol beard sleeves are the answer.! The cricket helmet only became popular in the 1970s, long after Grace's time, but he did have a good facial cushion to 'protect' him. Frightful thought to modern athletes and spectators alike!
Natalie
Thoroughly bored of the fascination with male facial hair, whether it's beards or Movember (although my husband's experiment with a moustache was surprisingly pleasing), it's a protest choice from me this year. Instead of a beard, it's the glorious BONNET! How come the Victorian beard is 'in' but the bonnet 'out'? How about #Bonruary 2023! Anyone? Anyway, these beautiful illustrations are from the early women's magazine, Ladies Cabinet, 1852.
0 Comments.