A History of Whiskers: Facial Hair and Identity in European and American Art, 1750-1920

Curated by James Fishburne, Research Associate at the Getty Research Institute.

Facial hair has always been more than a matter of fashion. Impeccably coiffed or wild and unkempt, a beard or mustache says a lot about a man and who he aspires to be. This exhibition explores how facial hair styles were used to craft the identities of historical figures and fictional characters. Presidents, generals, industrialists, and aristocrats relied on facial hair to influence how their peers perceived them. Some styles were meant as statements of power, while others were supposed to indicate wisdom, piety, or even a whimsical disposition. For those seeking to rise in the ranks, the appropriate choice of whiskers could be an effective means of imitating, and perhaps flattering, one’s superiors.

Artists also used facial hair in constructing characters and conveying vital information to viewers. Beards and mustaches provided a visual shorthand, signaling anything from a personality trait to an occupation. They gained significance through association with famous individuals, and such meaning could persist for centuries.

Featuring prints, drawings, and photographs from The Huntington’s permanent collection, the exhibition includes a range of facial hair styles, some of which are still in fashion today, and others that have become relics of the distant past. After viewing the exhibition, take note of the beards and mustaches in other galleries and consider the many roles played by whiskers throughout the history of art and culture.