Probably costume designs for 'Turandot'
1 portrait matching these criteria:
- set matching 'Cecil Beaton sketchbooks and drawings'
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Probably costume designs for 'Turandot'
by Cecil Beaton
pen and ink, probably early 1960s
12 5/8 in. x 9 5/8 in. (322 mm x 243 mm)
Accepted in lieu of tax by H.M. Government and allocated to the Gallery, 1991
Reference Collection
NPG D3621
Artistback to top
- Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), Photographer, designer and writer. Artist or producer associated with 1114 portraits, Sitter associated with 360 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Beaton travelled widely in the East as a war photographer (recording his experiences in Near East, 1943, and Far East, 1945). He returned with art treasures and notebooks full of sketches which he used when creating the designs for Puccini's last opera Turandot for the Metropolitan Opera, New York in 1961. It was also staged at Covent Garden in 1963.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1960back to top
Current affairs
Prince Andrew is born, the third child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.The Contraceptive Pill is introduced in England, dramatically changing the nation's approach to sex and relationships, and significantly contributing to the 1960s culture of liberation.
Art and science
Penguin books defend D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover against charges of obscenity by demonstrating that the novel was of literary merit. The 'not guilty' verdict was seen as a victory for free speech and marked the beginning if a new era of liberalism.The satirical revue Beyond the Fringe launches the careers of Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Jonathan Miller.
International
Harold Macmillan delivers his 'wind of change' speech to the South African Parliament in Cape Town, announcing Britain's decision to grant independence to many of her colonies. The speech recognised the emergence of African nationalism, and criticised the policy of Apartheid in South Africa.Comments back to top
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