Cecil BeatonMary Oakes and Mary Gosgrave for 'Vogue', 1936 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait)
About the Item
- Creator:Cecil Beaton (1904-1980, British)
- Dimensions:Height: 7.75 in (19.69 cm)Width: 9.75 in (24.77 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU886237772
Cecil Beaton
Cecil Beaton developed a distinctive style of photography where the subject was immersed in backgrounds made of unusual materials such as paper-mâché or aluminum foil. A socialite who rubbed elbows with royalty, celebrities and the wealthy aristocracy, the British photographer captured some of the most famous names of his time.
Beaton was born in London in 1904 to a successful lumber merchant and amateur actor. He received his first camera as a gift at age 11. Beaton later attended St. John’s College in Cambridge and studied art, history and architecture. He dropped out in 1925 and went to work in the family lumber business, but his free time was spent absorbed in photography.
Beaton befriended Sir Osbert Sitwell, who was captivated by his photographs and funded his first exhibition. It was an immediate sensation, leading to work with major magazines.
With a photography contract from Condé Nast, Beaton left for New York. By the end of the 1920s, he had worked as a staff photographer for Vanity Fair and Vogue. He continued to cultivate his unique portraiture style and published his work in several books. One of his greatest achievements was a commission from the British Royal Family in 1939, a relationship which endured for decades. During World War II, he served as a wartime photographer in Africa and East Asia.
After the war, Beaton returned to private portrait commissions. He also began designing costumes and sets for theater and the silver screen, winning an Academy Award for Best Costume Design for Gigi and awards for costume design and art direction for My Fair Lady. He also won costume design Tony awards for the Broadway shows Quadrille, My Fair Lady, Saratoga and Coco.
Beaton designed the sets and costumes for a production of the opera Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and then at Covent Garden, London. His diaries, which were scrapbooks of his life and interests, have garnered wide interest, and several volumes of them have been published.
On 1stDibs, find Cecil Beaton’s photography, drawings and watercolors, paintings and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Martha Graham, 1948 - Yousuf Karsh (Portrait Photography)By Yousuf KarshLocated in London, GBJohn F. Kennedy, 1960 - Yousuf Karsh (Portrait Photography) Signed on mount Silver gelatin print mounted on card, printed by the artist of under his direct supervision 19 3/4 x 15 3/4 inches Provenance: Estate of Yousuf Karsh, Museum of Fine Arts Boston Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002) was one of the most significant portrait photographers of the twentieth century. His portraits are easily recognisable for their bold use of studio lighting and closely cropped composition. Karsh’s photographs...Category
Mid-20th Century Portrait Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- John F. Kennedy, 1960 - Yousuf Karsh (Portrait Photography)By Yousuf KarshLocated in London, GBJohn F. Kennedy, 1960 - Yousuf Karsh (Portrait Photography) Signed on mount Silver gelatin print mounted on card, printed by the artist of under his direct supervision 13 x 101/4 inches Provenance: Estate of Yousuf Karsh, Museum of Fine Arts Boston Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002) was one of the most significant portrait photographers of the twentieth century. His portraits are easily recognisable for their bold use of studio lighting and closely cropped composition. Karsh’s photographs...Category
Mid-20th Century Portrait Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Martin Luther King, 1960 - Yousuf Karsh (Portrait Photography)By Yousuf KarshLocated in London, GBMartin Luther King, 1960 - Yousuf Karsh (Portrait Photography) Signed on mount Silver gelatin print mounted on card, printed by the artist of under his direct supervision 19 1/2 x 15 3/4 inches Provenance: Estate of Yousuf Karsh, Museum of Fine Arts Boston Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002) was one of the most significant portrait photographers of the twentieth century. His portraits are easily recognisable for their bold use of studio lighting and closely cropped composition. Karsh’s photographs...Category
Mid-20th Century Portrait Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Audrey Hepburn, 1956 - Yousuf Karsh (Portrait Photography)By Yousuf KarshLocated in London, GBAudrey Hepburn, 1956 - Yousuf Karsh (Portrait Photography) Accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity Silver gelatin print 16 x 20 inches Provenance: Estate of Yousuf Karsh, Museum of Fine Arts Boston Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002) was one of the most significant portrait photographers of the twentieth century. His portraits are easily recognisable for their bold use of studio lighting and closely cropped composition. Karsh’s photographs...Category
Mid-20th Century Portrait Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Pablo Picasso, 1954 - Yousuf Karsh (Portrait Photography)By Yousuf KarshLocated in London, GBPablo Picasso, 1954 - Yousuf Karsh (Portrait Photography) Signed on mount Silver gelatin print, mounted on card, printed by the artist or under his direct supervision 38 3/4 x 29 1/2 inches Provenance: Estate of Yousuf Karsh, Museum of Fine Arts Boston Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002) was one of the most significant portrait photographers of the twentieth century. His portraits are easily recognisable for their bold use of studio lighting and closely cropped composition. Karsh’s photographs...Category
Mid-20th Century Portrait Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- New York City, 1956 - Elliott Erwitt (Black and White Portrait Photography)By Elliott ErwittLocated in London, GBNew York City, 1956 - Elliott Erwitt (Black and White Portrait Photography) Signed, inscribed with title and dated on accompanying artist’s label Silver gelatin print, printed later...Category
20th Century Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Charlie WattsBy Andy WarholLocated in Santa Monica, CAThis is a unique work. Stamped on verso by The Estate of Andy Warhol and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Annotated with Foundation inventory number and initialed Tim ...Category
Late 20th Century Pop Art Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- New York (three kids with masks)By Helen LevittLocated in New York, NY8 1/8 x 11 inch gelatin silver print, printed later. Titled and dated by the artist on verso as "N.Y. circa 1942." Helen Levitt was a true master of the street, one whose poetic vis...Category
1940s Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Elizabeth (“Pussy”) Paepcke, Aspen, ColoradoBy Andy WarholLocated in Santa Monica, CAThis is a unique work. Stamped on verso by The Estate of Andy Warhol and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Annotated with Foundation inventory number and initialed Tim ...Category
1980s Pop Art Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Egon von FurstenbergBy Andy WarholLocated in Santa Monica, CAThis is a unique work. Stamped twice on the reverse by both The Estate of Andy Warhol and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Ar...Category
1970s Pop Art Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Michael Chow, Adele Lutz, David Byrne and Tina ChowBy Andy WarholLocated in Santa Monica, CAThe work depicts Michael Chow, Adele Lutz, David Byrne and Tina Chow celebrating Michael's birthday. This is a unique work. Stamped on verso by The Estate...Category
1980s Pop Art Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- The Eagles, "Desperado, " 1972By Henry DiltzLocated in New York, NYThe Eagles Desperado album cover back. Their managers and roadies dressed up as bandits and tied the members of the band together, along with Jackson Browne and JD Souther. Limited ...Category
20th Century Contemporary Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
