Bearded Blokes of the Belle Epoque

William Turner Dannat Portrait of Robert Gordan Hardie

2011-10-02T15:25:00.000-07:00

Robert Todd Lincoln, circa 1880 (undated cabinet card from a photograph by Mathew Brady)

2011-09-25T03:59:00.000-07:00

Bearded in Bahamas

2011-09-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

Ricardo Arredondo y Calmache (Cella, Teruel, 1850-Toledo, 1911)

2011-05-17T00:08:00.000-07:00

A Beard is Awesome in Every Generation.

2011-03-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

NY artist Jonathan Viner paints 1970's computer scientists with all the reverence of a 19th century master.

Jonathan Viner "Computer Science" at Sloan Fine Art, NYC

Opening Reception: Wednesday, March 30th, 6 to 8 pm
Exhibition: March 31 to April 30, 201

2011-02-15T00:47:00.000-08:00

Mr Natty and Frank's Beard Elixir and Mustache Wax

So, a package arrived from the UK the other day. In it were some beard and mustache products that this bearded blogger has learned to covet. Both have a great scent under ones nose. It's nice to have products specifically formulated for beards and mustaches. This beardo feels extra kissable for Valentine's Day.

This blog isn't about plugging products, but I'm a genuine fan of Mr Natty.

Mr Natty's Blog

William Sidney Mount, full length portrait, facing left, wearing top hat and holding a coat...

2011-01-21T00:18:00.000-08:00

Daguerreotype Collection (Library of Congress) Half Plate Daguerreotype, 1850's

Barcelona Beards of 1900

2011-01-18T00:24:00.000-08:00

If there was any doubt as to the preternatural talent of the young Picasso, these charming portraits of the artist's Barcelona bar mates show a keen eye and a sharp, easy wit. At eighteen, Pablo captures each subject's unique character.

Manhandlers

2011-01-12T23:55:00.000-08:00

It is rare to find a bearded wrestler or strongman. Mustaches are more the norm. Here are a few vintage photographs from the blogmaster's extensive Physical Culture collection.

Marion Peck paints a bearded bloke.

2010-12-29T13:23:00.000-08:00

“Jeremiah”
2010
8" x 6" image
15" x 12" framed
oil w/ encaustic on panel

Our friend Marion Peck has mounted another stellar solo show at Sloan Fine Art in NYC. A Victorian sensibility dominates (including black velvet walls!) with oddball portraits, a larger narrative painting and a haunting sculptural installation. http://www.sloanfineart.com/

'Floor Cleaner', Photographed by Alfred Lorens of St Petersburg.

2010-11-25T13:49:00.000-08:00

Tricky Pics

2010-11-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

August Macke - Portrait of the author E A Greeven (1911) - Bonn, Kunstmuseum

2010-11-25T12:31:00.000-08:00

Degas' Dapper Dandies

2010-11-21T22:27:00.000-08:00

Unlike the younger generation of Impressionist artists who ventured outdoors with the newly invented tube oil paint to capture the natural world, Edgar Degas focused almost exclusively on contemporary figures found indoors. While most famous for his depictions of ballerinas, washerwomen and prostitutes, Degas' sharp powers of observation were well suited to capturing the confident swagger of male sophisticates in Paris.

Hairstyle vs. Beard - Which will win?

2010-11-16T00:54:00.000-08:00

Francesco Paolo Michetti, 1851-1929

2010-11-16T00:31:00.000-08:00

Michetti was amongst a small group of artists who brought a luminous light and progressive painterly approach to his Neopolitan paintings. After a lukewarm reception to his work during 1900's World Exposition, he gave up his studio and became a recluse. These self portraits have a bravura that belies any insecurities Michetti might have had.

Ultimate Fighters!

2010-10-29T01:54:00.000-07:00

Wrestlers (Brothers Marseille), 1870 by Leon Cremiere, Paris

"The Wrestlers, 1853" by Gustave Courbet

Domenico Morelli (1823–1901)

2010-10-29T01:25:00.000-07:00

With a sensual eye, and dramatic inclination, Neapolitan painter Domenico Morelli found success depicting biblical, oriental, and contemporary subjects.

Mucksnipe!

2010-10-24T01:13:00.000-07:00

Mucksnipe!: "Aaron Smith - Fine Art Painter"

The Hairy Hussar

2010-10-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

A form of light cavalry originating in medieval Hungary, the Hussar have appeared in various forms throughout the centuries in Central and Eastern Europe as well as Scandinavia. Always dashing, sometimes flamboyant, the look of the Hussar is the most elegant of military uniforms.

Giacomo Balla, 1871-1958.

2010-10-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

Italian futurist painter Balla conveys a piercing exploration of man as matter. His self portrait seems both intimate and metaphysical.

Prince Albert Edward Prince of Wales later King Edward VII

2010-09-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

With the death if his mother Queen Victoria in 1901, Edward VII would usher in the Edwardian Era. Even as a Prince, Edward's bearish physique, owl eyes and aquiline nose seemed to herald his destiny as King.

A Fine Profile

2010-09-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Painter Robert Gordon Hardie by William Turner Dannat

Emile Friant (1863-1932

2010-07-04T01:35:00.000-07:00

The french painter Emile Friant (seen looking up from his easel) abandoned the academic style and atelier methods of his precocious youth, moved to Nancy, and began painting scenes of rural life by daylight. With a luminous touch and astounding attention to detail, Friant documented his artistic circle.

Hungarian Honeys

2010-06-09T01:41:00.000-07:00

French Painter Charles Maurin (1856-1914)

2010-06-04T01:11:00.000-07:00

Self Portrait

Portrait of Georges Seurat

Portrait of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (etching)

Hungarian Hotties

2010-05-23T23:07:00.000-07:00

Émile Henri Bernard (1868 – 1941)

2010-05-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

With friends like Paul Gaugin ,and Vincent Van Gogh, it's understandable why Emile Bernard is relatively overshadowed in Art History. Although he painted alongside his friends at Pont-Aven, producing similarly revolutionary artwork, he didn't have the dominant personalty of Gauguin, or the dramatic biography of the others to capture as much of the spotlight. Still, he was perhaps the most articulate of the group, and outlived them by decades.

Jean Frédéric Bazille (1841-1870) One Tall Drink of Water

2010-05-09T00:27:00.001-07:00

Street Style in Hungarian

2010-05-08T23:49:00.000-07:00

Andre Derain Paints Henri Matisse with Fauvist Finesse

2010-04-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923)

2010-04-19T18:47:00.001-07:00

George Hendrik Breitner was a dutch realist painter who, along with his friend Van Gogh, sought out working-class models in the poorer areas of the Hague. Unlike Vincent, who would soon use vivid, emotionally charged colors, George Breitner continued to use earthy hues to reflect the simple life he depicted. His self portraits reflect his serious point of view.

Huge Hungarian Hair

2010-04-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

This Blogger Gets a Virtual Bear Hug!

2010-04-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

Finally some love from the kindly, cuddly creatures of the (mostly) gay community. ART BEAR has posted images of a few of my bearded bloke paintings...

ART BEAR - Paper & Ink & Beards & Kink.

Check it out. Once you're there, click on the blog's title to see the latest hirsute related artwork.

See much more at AaronSmithArt.com.

Hairy Hungarians

2010-04-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

Hungarian men of the Belle Epoque seem particularly drawn to looks with extra drama and distinction. Dandyism ruled.

Claude Terrasse (1867-1923)

2010-03-26T23:05:00.000-07:00

The brother-in-law of the painter Pierre Bonnard, Claude Terrasse became famous in Paris as a composer of operettas. After being introduced by Bonnard to the avante-garde art and literature scenes, Terrasse's distinctive appearance was immortalized in a portrait by Louis Sue (top). If Auguste Renoir depicts Terrasse within the painter's preference for romantic idealism, Bonnard typically chooses to emphasize the picturesque possibilities of the composer's figure surrounded by the clutter of domesticity.

Hello Sailor...

2010-03-24T00:59:00.000-07:00

Jan Pieter Veth (Dutch painter and poet, 1864-1925) Self Portrait

2010-03-24T00:53:00.000-07:00

Beards from Budapest

2010-03-19T20:51:00.001-07:00

Manet by Fantin-Latour

2010-03-19T00:56:00.000-07:00

Henri Fantin-Latour (1836-1904) was most famous for naturalistic still-life of flowers and fruit as well as slightly mysterious portraits of his fellow artists. One of his most famous friends and sitters was the elegantly dressed Edouard Manet of 1867. Although he made some of the most controversial and progressive art of his time, Manet's outward appearance was that of a well-off sophisticate. Fantin-Latour manages to capture his handsome look, while hinting at Manet's considerable fortitude.

Fabulous Pairs

2010-03-17T23:11:00.000-07:00

Pupil's masterful portrait of his teacher

2010-03-16T00:24:00.000-07:00

John Singer Sargent's portrait of his teacher Carolus-Duran shows his master's charismatic persona as well the student's supreme confidence.

Duran's approach to character

2010-03-15T23:46:00.000-07:00

Carolus Duran (1837-1917) established one of the most esteemed ateliers in Paris. He counted Manet, Fantin-Latour, and Courbet as his friends and models, while Maximilien Luce, Takeji Fujishima, and John Singer Sargent were his most famous students. Duran's talent as a portraitist was to adapt his approach to capture the unique physical and emotional presence of the sitter. His male portraits, especially compared to his female ones have a powerfully direct approach. If Sargent celebrated his subject's grandeur and beauty, Carolus-Duran presented his subjects power and presence.

The burn was felt

2010-03-13T11:08:00.001-08:00

Edouard Vuillard- Sage of the Nabi

2010-03-12T12:50:00.000-08:00

Vuillard's self Image

2010-03-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

Edouard Vuillard (1868-1940) Inspired by the synthetism of Paul Gauguin, Vuillard, along with Pierre Bonnard, Paul Serusier, and Maurice Denis, established the Nabis Movement. Vuillard's images of everyday life have a robust, and decorative surface. His self portraits reveal a man willing to expose his inner ambivalence. Sometimes brooding, sometimes humorous, Vuillard's evolving image is often shown within a mirror's frame, reminding us of the private nature of his self analysis.

Smart like a fox

2010-03-11T21:43:00.000-08:00

Are we allowed to think Jesus is hot?

2010-03-10T21:28:00.000-08:00

Edouard Manet brings a dark sensuality to the spiritual

Monday Mustache Madness

2010-03-08T23:59:00.000-08:00

Antonio Mancini (1852-1930)- Self portraits

2010-03-08T23:39:00.000-08:00

High Density Impact

2010-03-07T10:01:00.001-08:00

Georges Lemmen- bearded Belgian painter

2010-03-06T19:58:00.000-08:00

The rich paintings of George Lemmen (1865-1916) boast many influences: from Symbolism to Impressionism; from Pointillism to the Nabi. Often decorative, but never without a sense of quiet tension, his work captures the sumptuous interior spaces occupied by the sophisticated Belgians of his circle. The pieces here are self portrait, except for the grey haired visage of his father.

Apologies to PETA. It's all about the fur on the face.

2010-03-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

A League of his own

2010-03-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

Who knew that the author of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", "Around the World in 80 Days", and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" was so dashing?

Manet's Men

2010-02-28T22:38:00.001-08:00

Edouard Manet (1832-1883) was born into affluence but chose the lowlife profession of the artist. His social position allowed him to take artistic risks those dependent on sales would rarely make. Manet depicted his life in candid and progressive terms. His depictions of men have a lively touch that went from realism to impressionism while retaining a touch of drama inspired by his love of Spanish Baroque painting.

Don't ask, Do tell.

2010-02-28T22:09:00.000-08:00

Ferdinand Hodler self portraits

2010-02-28T19:46:00.000-08:00

Perhaps Switzerland's greatest artist, Ferdinand Hodler brought a monumental strength to Symbolist and Art Nouveau painting. His work had a clarity of light, color and structure that made his work both modern and timeless. He produced a series of uncompromising self portraits throughout his long career. Over the years Hodler's strong weathered features seemed to peer stoically into the future.

To be fair ...

2010-02-28T19:03:00.000-08:00

Check out the furry neck on this bloke. Right?

Leon Bonnat- one bearded fox

2010-02-27T23:53:00.000-08:00

The french artist Bonnat started his career as a religious painter, but achieved his greatest fame as a portraitist. His brooding face was immortalized in an early self portrait as well as some stunningly penetrating portraits by his friend Edgar Degas.

Big show offs!

2010-02-27T02:00:00.000-08:00

John Singer Sargent captures Claude Monet's stately profile

2010-02-27T00:51:00.000-08:00

John Singer Sargent's eye for beauty

2010-02-27T00:26:00.000-08:00

No other artist could capture the beauty of a sitter with such seeming effortlessness as Sargent. At the height of his career, he was asked to capture the likenesses of America and Europe's most glamorous and influential people. Of course, most of his portraits were of the wealthy, but occasionally his brush represented less privileged subjects. Sargent was partial to beauty over all else. Where do we see this most evident? It is in the depiction of men; sometimes his creative friends, and other times mere models, that John Singer Sargent's emotional candor and sensuality flourishes.

Perfectly Groomed

2010-02-26T02:17:00.000-08:00

Pretty, pretty.

2010-02-26T01:53:00.000-08:00