Graham Sutherland with his portrait of Somerset Maugham

Sitterback to top

• Graham Vivian Sutherland (1903-1980), Painter. Sitter in 61 portraits, Artist associated with 23 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), Photographer, designer and writer. Artist associated with 1051 portraits, Sitter associated with 314 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Beaton photographed Sutherland whilst he was at work on his memorable portrait of Somerset Maugham (1949, Tate Gallery collection). The portrait of Maugham was Sutherland's first and followed a meeting at St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Côte d'Azur. Maugham gave Sutherland about ten sittings, and Sutherland worked on the painting whilst away from the model. The portrait that Maugham called ' magnificent' established Sutherland's reputation for portrait painting.

Subject/Themeback to top

• Art in art