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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Jo's mo show (with beards)
Previous exhibition
from Friday 28 October 2011 until Sunday 1 April 2012

Any survey of the National Portrait Gallery's collection reveals numerous variations in facial hair fashions. From the be-wigged and clean-shaven gents of the eighteenth century to the 70s blokes brandishing handlebar mos, portraits and the individuals depicted in them show also that such styles are more than mere whim; and that men's choices to sport facial hair have usually been closely connected to shifts in ideas about politics, society, identity or masculinity.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN
Portrait of Captain James Cook RN

Mo and beard timeline

Changes in facial fashions from the 1780s to the present day.

Barry Gibb
Barry Gibb
Barry Gibb
Barry Gibb

Style guide

Magnificent moustaches, bold beards and masterful muttonchops, it's all here in the Style Guide.

Who's Jo?

Find out about the curator of the exhibition.

Related people

Joanna Gilmour (curator)

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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