A Van Dyke (also spelled Vandyck or Van Dyck) is a style of facial hair named after 17th century Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck.[1][2] A Van Dyke specifically consists of any growth of both a moustache and goatee with all hair on the cheeks shaven.[1] Even this particular style, though, has many variants, which range from a curled moustache versus a non-curled one and a soul patch versus none.
This style of beard was popular in Europe in the 17th century.[3] It died out in Britain with the Restoration, when French styles and wigs became popular. For some time after, however, some men, called "vow-beards", continued to wear them, vowing to wear them until the King did so again.[4] It became popular in the United States in the 19th century.[2] Chicago Chronicle columnist Edith Sessions Tupper condemned this style, along with the goatee, as indicative of a man "who was selfish, sinister, and pompous as a peacock."[2] Nevertheless, the style became symbolic of the United States government.[2]
The style is sometimes called a "Charlie" after King Charles I of England, who was painted by Van Dyck with this type of beard.[5]
The style was worn by Van Dyck himself, and by many of the sitters for his portraits, including King Charles I of England.[1] The Russian Marxist revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin also wore a Van Dyke. The Van Dyke had a revival in the 19th century and was worn by several well-known figures including General Custer (among other styles) and the actor Monty Woolley. Colonel Sanders would also qualify as having a Van Dyke.
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