Search the Collection

Angus McBean

(1904-1990), Photographer

Sitter in 79 portraits
Artist associated with 283 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.

14 Likes voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

Vivien Leigh; Angus McBean, by Angus McBean, by  John Vickers - NPG P901

Vivien Leigh; Angus McBean

by Angus McBean, by John Vickers
bromide print, 1938
NPG P901

Angus McBean, by Angus McBean - NPG P618

Angus McBean

by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, circa 1940
NPG P618

Angus McBean, by (Leslie) Roy Hobdell - NPG 6962

Angus McBean

by (Leslie) Roy Hobdell
oil on canvasboard, 1951
NPG 6962

Angus McBean, by Lord Snowdon - NPG P1897

Angus McBean

by Lord Snowdon
gelatin silver print, 24 June 1982
NPG P1897

Angus McBean, by Robert Mapplethorpe - NPG P1308

Angus McBean

by Robert Mapplethorpe
vintage bromide print, 1988
NPG P1308

Angus McBean, by Angus McBean - NPG Ax183844

Angus McBean

by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, circa 1930s
NPG Ax183844

Angus McBean, by Angus McBean - NPG Ax183847

Angus McBean

by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, circa 1930s
NPG Ax183847

Related People

Category

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

Theresa Mackey

03 October 2022, 18:57

Yes. My great aunt Gladys had all of his personal Christmas Cards. She was his PA.