Portraits in disguise - NPG x39301
Angus McBean as Neptune
by Angus McBean
1939
NPG x39301
From 1930 onwards, McBean (1904-1990) designed and starred in his own surrealistic and zany Christmas cards.
This example is typical and provides us with a witty alternative to the infant Jesus or a Christmas tree. His fascination with the fantastic possibilities of photography is evident in the statement: 'Right from an early age I always had a passion to make the camera do things it was not designed for'. Artists and photographers have always used the self-portrait for exotic self-representation.
See also Angus McBean, theatre photographer
Louis Mountbatten, Earl
Mountbatten of Burma
by Yousuf Karsh, 1943
NPG P252 (Detail)
He wears the double-breasted naval reefer jacket of official pilot blue cloth.
Marks of rank were introduced in 1774 and cuff marks in 1783. A band of 1 1/2" gold lace with three rows of 1/2" lace denotes the rank of Admiral. The uppermost row forms a circle 2" in diameter in the centre of the upper side of the sleeve.
