Sir Noël Coward
(1899-1973), Actor, playwright and composerSitter associated with 117 portraits
Dramatist and actor. Born in Teddington, Coward went on to achieve great popular success as a playwright who frequently performed in his own plays. Notable works include The Vortex (1924) and Private Lives (1930). Photographer Cecil Beaton remarked that 'all sorts of men' tried to emulate Coward’s elegant style: 'sleek and satiny, clipped and well groomed, with a cigarette, a telephone, or a cocktail at hand'. His play Blithe Spirit (1941), and the film In Which We Serve (1942) contributed to the war effort. After the war he performed his own songs in cabaret in London and Las Vegas, giving him financial security.
Explore the portrait of Noël Coward by Paul Hamann (NPG 5404) from all angles
by Paul Hamann
bronze life-mask, 1981, based on a work of 1930
On display in the Weston Wing Café at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 5404
by Dorothy Wilding
vintage tissue-mounted bromide print, 1930
NPG P870(3)
by Clemence Dane
oil on canvas, before 1939
NPG 4950
by Clemence Dane
bronze bust, circa 1939
NPG 4951
by Lord Snowdon
gelatin silver print, 21 September 1964
NPG P1864
by Dorothy Wilding
bromide print on tissue and card mount, 1930
NPG x30468
by Dorothy Wilding
chlorobromide print on card mount, 1930
NPG x6921
Noël Coward and Sir Gerald Du Maurier fishing for champagne at a theatrical garden party
by James Jarché, for Daily Herald
modern bromide print from original negative, 6 June 1932
NPG x88282
Noël Coward and Douglas Fairbanks Jr at the opening night of 'The Private Life of Henry VIII'
by George Woodbine, for Daily Herald
modern bromide print from original negative, 24 October 1933
NPG x135048
by George Woodbine, for Daily Herald
modern bromide print from original negative, 24 October 1933
NPG x135049
Daniel Massey's Christening party
by Sasha (Alexander Stewart)
chlorobromide print, 28 November 1933
NPG x137630
Daniel Massey's Christening party
by London News Agency
bromide print, 1933
NPG x137631
Gertrude Lawrence; Noël Coward
by George Woodbine, for Daily Herald
modern bromide print from original negative, 17 September 1935
NPG x88295
by Unknown photographer
vintage print, 2 January 1935
NPG x194250
Hope Williams and Sir Noël Coward in 'The Scoundrel'
by Lusha Nelson
halftone reproduction tear sheet, 1935
NPG x193429
by Howard Coster
bromide print, 1939
NPG x1800
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x11064
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x11065
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x11066
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x11067
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x11068
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x11069
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x11070
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x11071
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x11072
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1939
NPG x11073
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1942
NPG x14052
Group including Cecil Beaton, Noël Coward, Greta Garbo and Lord David Cecil
by Fox Photos Ltd
bromide print, 1951
NPG x40456
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