In honour of Movember Bridgeman Art Library has supplied some definitive images of men with proud moustaches to provide inspiration for this annual event.
Movember, the month formerly known as November, is when men around the world grow a moustache for 30 days, with the support of the women in their lives, to raise awareness and funds for men’s health specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s mental health.
Movember started in Melbourne, Australia in 2003 with a few friends who wanted to bring back a past fashion trend, the moustache. That year, 30 guys participated but no money was raised.
In 2004, amazed by the fun they had and the conversations that were sparked, four of the 30 original members came together to make their Mo growing an annual, official charitable endeavor by adding an important cause prostate cancer. That year, 450 participants raised $43,000 AUD for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Now in 2013, there are official Movember campaigns in 21 countries and in 2012 over £92 million was raised globally.
Images from top to bottom, courtesy of Bridgeman Art:
The Laughing Cavalier, 1624 (oil on canvas), Hals, Frans (1582/3-1666) / © Wallace Collection, London, UK / The Bridgeman Art Library
Bust of Socrates (470-399 BC) (marble), Lysippos (fl.370-310 BC) (after) / Louvre, Paris, France / Giraudon / The Bridgeman Art Library
Confucius, Chinese School / Private Collection / Peter Newark Pictures / The Bridgeman Art Library