Angus McBean (1904-1990), Photographer
Sitter associated with 65 portraits
Artist of 189 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 Angus McBean
bromide print, 1939
NPG P932
by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, circa 1940
NPG P618
Angus McBean; Coral Edith Browne
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1981
NPG P940
by Angus McBean
chlorobromide print, 1939
NPG x39301
by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, 1941
NPG x127125
by Angus McBean
bromide print photomontage, 1950
NPG x39302
by Angus McBean
bromide print photomontage, 1951
NPG x39303
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1952
NPG x39304
Art
Groups
Photographers
Places
Monmouthshire
Vale of Glamorgan
Related pages
Thematic collections
Keep in touch
