Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), Photographer, designer and writer
Sitter associated with 314 portraits
Artist associated with 1051 portraits
Born in Hampstead, Beaton became interested in photography as a young boy, inspired by postcards showing actresses of the period. His career as a portrait photographer took off after meeting the Sitwells in 1926. In 1927 he signed his first contract with Vogue, with which he was associated throughout his life. During the war he worked for the Ministry of Information, recording the war in Britain, the Middle and Far East. After the war he developed as a designer for stage, film, ballet and opera, working with Noel Coward and others. His most famous stage production was My Fair Lady (1956), the musical based on Shaw's Pygmalion. He was awarded two Oscars for the film version in 1965.
by Maurice Beck and Helen Macgregor
cream-toned vintage bromide print, 1927
NPG x40415
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, October 1927
NPG x40409
by Curtis Moffat, and Olivia Wyndham
bromide print, circa 1928
NPG x20034
by Lafayette (Lafayette Ltd)
whole-plate film negative, 14 June 1928
NPG x49751
by Lafayette (Lafayette Ltd)
whole-plate film negative, 14 June 1928
NPG x49754
by Lafayette (Lafayette Ltd)
whole-plate film negative, 14 June 1928
NPG x49755
by Curtis Moffat
bromide print, circa 1928
NPG x40414
by Curtis Moffat, and Olivia Wyndham
bromide print on card mount with green tint, circa 1928
NPG x30316
by Curtis Moffat, and Olivia Wyndham
bromide print on grey mount with red tint, circa 1928
NPG x30315
by Bert Longworth
vintage contact print from 10 x 8 inch negative, 1930s
NPG x40537
by Baron George Hoyningen-Huene
vintage bromide print, 1930
NPG x40421
by Associated Press
bromide press print, circa 1930
NPG x40656
Cecil Beaton; Sibyl (née Halsey), Lady Colefax
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, 1930s
NPG x40657
All paintings by this artist on the BBC Your Paintings website
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