Angus McBean (1904-1990), Photographer
Sitter associated with 65 portraits
Artist of 188 portraits
Began his career in the theatre as mask-maker and scenery designer before turning to full-time theatre photography. McBean is renowned for his theatrical and inventive photography of the 1930s and 1940s. Imitated throughout his career, his influence especially in advertising is still prominent today. In 1935 he opened his own studio; and his prominent style was soon being published in glossy magazines. The Surrealist Exhibition in 1936 was an influence on McBean's theatrical portraits. After the Second World War he opened a larger studio in Covent Garden, and in the 1940s and 1950s was inundated with commissions from theatre companies. In the 1960s McBean photographed the Beatles for their first album.
by Angela Gorgas
modern bromide print from an original negative, 1977
NPG x133011
by Roger George Clark
bromide print, 16 May 1979
NPG x15108
by Roger George Clark
bromide print, 16 May 1979
NPG x15109
by Stephen Hyde
bromide print, January 1983
NPG x88905
by Tim Mercer
R-type colour print from original transparency, published February 1983
NPG x126078
by Tim Mercer
R-type colour print from original transparency, 1983
NPG x126079
by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print mounted as a Christmas card, 1984
NPG x131158
by Angus McBean
bromide print on photographer's mount, 1984
NPG x68816
by Mike Owen
bromide print, 18 November 1986
NPG x126475
by Mike Owen
digital C-type colour print, 1987
NPG x128530
by Peter Everard Smith
bromide fibre print, 19 May 1987
NPG x38394
by Mike Owen
digital C-type colour print, 1988
NPG x128531
by Norman McBeath
digital black and white print, 1989
NPG x128191
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