Angus McBean

1 portrait of Angus McBean

© estate of Angus McBean / National Portrait Gallery, London

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Angus McBean

by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, 1941
11 3/8 in. x 9 1/2 in. (290 mm x 240 mm) overall
Purchased, 2005
Photographs Collection
NPG x127125

Sitterback to top

  • Angus McBean (1904-1990), Photographer. Sitter in 79 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 283 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Angus McBean (1904-1990), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 283 portraits, Sitter in 79 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Pepper, Terence, Angus McBean Portraits, 2006 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 July to 22 October 2006), p. 116 Read entry

    Made up of four exposures, this self-portrait was intended as a tribute to Picasso's Weeping Woman and other cubist works. At one time McBean owned two works by the artist. A more closely cropped version of this card was also produced and sold in Christie's 1981 sale, with a note on the controversy it caused amongst his friends, including James Agate's press review of the work.

Events of 1941back to top

Current affairs

The Blitz continues with sustained Luftwaffe attacks on British cities. As the bombing went on the urban population got used to the black out, the air raid sirens and nights spent in shelter. The idea emerged (to some extent a myth) of the 'spirit of the Blitz' where people pulled together united, disregarding traditional class and social divisions.

Art and science

Frank Whittle demonstrates the first test-flight of a plane powered by jet propulsion. Although the German, Hans von Ohain, built the first jet plane, Whittle was the first to patent a design for the jet engine (in 1930), and his subsequent work helped to advance the technology and made Britain leaders in the field.

International

The Soviet Union and America join the Allies. The Soviet Union was forced to switch sides after Hitler attacked in June 1941, reneging the Soviet-Nazi pact. Six months later the US Navy was attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbour. The following day the USA declared war on Japan, and three days later Germany and Italy declared war on America.

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