Monocle: Difference between revisions

A monocle was generally associated with rich upper-class men. Combined with a morning coat and [[top-hat]], it completed the costume of the stereotypical 1890's1890s [[Capitalism|capitalist]], such as [[Rich Uncle Pennybags|Uncle Pennybags]] from the board game [[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]]. Monocles were also stereotypical accessories of German military officers from this period, especially from the [[World War I|First World War]], where the stereotypical German ''[[Oberst]]'' would plot the demise of enemy forces with monocle in place to examine attack charts. German officers who actually wore a monocle include [[Erich Ludendorff]], [[Walter von Reichenau]], [[Hans von Seeckt]] and [[Hugo Sperrle]].

Monocles were most prevalent in the late [[19th Centurycentury]] but are rarely worn today. This is due in large part to advances in [[optometry]] which allow for better measurement of [[Refractionrefraction error|refractive error]], so that [[glasses]] and [[contact lens]]es can be prescribed with different [[optical power|strengths]] in each eye, and also to a reaction from stereotypes that became associated with them. The monocle did, however, garner a following in the stylish lesbian circles of the mid 20th century, with lesbians donning a monocle for effect. Such women included Una Lady Troubridge, [[Radclyffe Hall]], and Weimar German reporter Sylvia von Harden.

[[Image:Petherbridgeaslordwimsey.jpg|thumb|250px|The cover of the [[BBC]] ''[[Gaudy Night]]'' video. [[Edward Petherbridge]] stars as [[Lord Peter Wimsey]], with monocle and Oxford academic regalia.]]

Some famous figures who wore a monocle include the British politicians, [[Joseph Chamberlain]], his son [[Austen Chamberlain|Austen]] and [[Henry Chaplin]]. Muslim nationalist [[Mohammad Ali Jinnah]], Portuguese President [[António de Spínola]], filmmakers [[Fritz Lang]] and [[Erich von Stroheim]], actor Conrad Veidt, [[Dada]]ists [[Tristan Tzara]] and [[Raoul Hausmann]], esotericist [[Julius Evola]], [[Poet laureate]] [[Alfred Lord Tennyson]], singer [[Richard Tauber]] and perhaps ironically [[Karl Marx]]. In another vein [[G. E. M. Anscombe]] was one of only a few noted women who occasionally wore a monocle.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4115443,00.html]</ref> Famous wearers today include Beverly Hills entrepreneur and certified millionaire Claude Dauman, [[astronomy|astronomer]] [[Patrick Moore|Sir Patrick Moore]], former [[boxing|boxer]] [[Chris Eubank]] and King [[Taufa'ahau Tupou V]] of [[Tonga]]. The painting Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia Von Harden by German expressionist painter [[Otto Dix]] depicts its subject sporting a monocle. Abstract Expressionistexpressionist painter [[Barnett Newman]] wore a monocle mainly for getting a closer look at artworks. Famed singer Richard Tauber wore a monocle to mask a squint in one eye.