A study of noblemen's grooming styles of facial hair in portraits in the Joseon Dynasty

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to classify and recreate the grooming styles of facial hair sported by noblemen during the Joseon Dynasty. Using existent portraits painted during this period as corroborative materials, this study has identified the traditional grooming styles of facial hair sought by noblemen in this age. This study has utilized 30 facial hair styles found in the portraits of noblemen inherited from the Joseon Dynasty, which take up the majority of the portraits currently remaining in Korea. To recreate grooming styles of facial hair, this study has divided facial hair into three types according to its location: beards, moustaches and whiskers. Based on the analysis of these divided grooming styles, this study has recreated grooming styles of facial hair by using artificial modelling heads, artificial hair, artificial glue, scissors, and a comb. The grooming styles of facial hair recreated by this study are closest to those that noblemen sought and did wear during the Joseon Dynasty. The results of this study are as follows. First, they groomed their moustaches in the 八 shape. Next, they wore their beards in the shape of an inverted triangle. Finally, they also grew and groomed whiskers. Though there are individual differences in the location, length, and volume of facial hair, noblemen in the Joseon Dynasty generally sought to wear their facial hair neat and long. Little research has been done to recreate and present noblemen's grooming styles of facial hair focusing on portraits. Thus, the findings of this study are expected to be utilized as basic materials for the education and research of grooming styles of facial hair according to ages. They can also be used as basic materials for recreating facial hair in historical dramas.