From Rembrandt to Picasso: Iconic Beards in Art History
A DailyArt Magazine feature highlights five notable bearded figures in art history, spanning from the 17th to the 20th century. The selection includes works by William Henry Hunt, Pablo Picasso, Anthony van Dyck, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Alexej von Jawlensky, each showcasing distinct styles and techniques. Hunt's 'Portrait Study of a Bearded Man' (c. 1835–1840) at Tate Modern exemplifies his meticulous watercolor approach. Picasso's 'Head of a Bearded Man with Cigarette' (1964) at LACMA presents a Cubist interpretation with vibrant colors. Van Dyck's 'Study Head of an Old Man with a White Beard' (1617–20) at the Metropolitan Museum, once attributed to Rubens, is now recognized as an early Van Dyck. Rembrandt's 'Bearded Old Man' (1632) at the Fogg Museum demonstrates his mastery of texture and emotion. Jawlensky's 'Man With Green Beard' (1912) reflects his Expressionist style, influenced by Matisse and Russian folk art. The article playfully suggests these paintings as inspiration for contemporary beard styles.
Key facts
- William Henry Hunt's 'Portrait Study of a Bearded Man' is dated c. 1835–1840 and held at Tate Modern, London.
- Pablo Picasso's 'Head of a Bearded Man with Cigarette' (1964) is in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
- Anthony van Dyck's 'Study Head of an Old Man with a White Beard' (1617–20) is at the Metropolitan Museum, New York.
- The Van Dyck painting was previously attributed to Peter Paul Rubens.
- Rembrandt's 'Bearded Old Man' (1632) is at the Fogg Museum, Cambridge, MA.
- Alexej von Jawlensky's 'Man With Green Beard' (1912) is in a private collection.
- Jawlensky was a member of Der Blaue Reiter group in Munich and knew Henri Matisse.
- The article suggests beards in paintings as inspiration for modern beard styles.
Entities
Artists
- William Henry Hunt
- Pablo Picasso
- Anthony van Dyck
- Rembrandt van Rijn
- Alexej von Jawlensky
- Peter Paul Rubens
- Henri Matisse
Institutions
- Tate Modern
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Metropolitan Museum
- Fogg Museum
- Der Blaue Reiter
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Los Angeles
- United States
- New York
- Cambridge
- Massachusetts
- Germany
- Munich