On a recent museum trip – I saw images from the Qajar dynasty in Persia – the period from 1795 -1925. The display focused on the women of that period.
My attention was caught by description of the beautiful women of the Qajar court – paragons of beauty with a thick monobrow and moustache.
Today’s women use cosmetics to highlight curved lips or long lashes. The Qajar women would paint on a moustache if they were not lucky enough to possess one naturally.
This got me to thinking about how things change – and particularly how our perception of beauty changes.
On other museum visits, I have seen images of two famed classic Egyptian beauties – Nefertiti and Cleopatra. Cleopatra in particular was renowned as a great beauty – even in ancient times.
Of course, when you are an Egyptian queen with the power of life of death over people, I don’t image anyone is going to accuse you of having a bad hair day.
I think our images of the famed beauties of the past are defined by the actresses who played them in films. Which of course got me to thinking about beautiful actresses – and how our image of beauty has changed there over time.
Clara Bow was a silent screen beauty – feted as a sex symbol in the 1920s. No one could accuse her of having a monobrow or moustache.
The 1930s saw the rise of the icy blondes May West, Marlene Dietrich, Jean Harlow. There was nothing girl next door about these cinema queens. I think a part of their appeal was that they came across as unattainable- as something more than we mere mortals.
As society changed, so too did the icons – and buy the 50s beauty was becoming more overtly sexual – and topping the list here, the great Marilyn.
By contrast – from the 60s onwards, many models and celebrities have been stick thin – starting with Twiggy in the 1960s and continuing for a very long time.
In recent years, our ideals of beauty have changed for the better – the women who top the most beautiful list often tend to be those who are strong, independent and intelligent women – with more on their mind that just being beautiful. Women who are more than just a face.
But when it comes right down to it – who do I think of when I think of great beauty….
Which leaves us, or course, with the standard of beauty – yes beauty – in men. I might have to spend some time wandering around the internet thinking about that one. What a pleasant way to spend a rainy day.