Somerset Maugham
(1874-1965), Novelist, playwright and spyWilliam ('W.') Somerset Maugham
Sitter associated with 115 portraits
Somerset Maugham was one of the most popular and commercially successful authors of the twentieth century. He qualified as a doctor in 1897, but pursued his passion for writing following the publication of his first novel, Liza of Lambeth, in the same year. His play Lady Frederick (1907) was his first theatrical success, and his largely autobiographical novel Of Human Bondage (1915) became a best seller. It was followed by other highly praised works The Moon and Sixpence (1919), Cakes and Ale (1930) and The Razor's Edge (1945). He wrote more than thirty plays, including Home and Beauty (1919) and The Letter (1927).
by Philip Steegman
oil on canvas, 1931
NPG 4524
by Graham Sutherland
pencil and crayon, 1949
NPG 5325
Graham Sutherland; Somerset Maugham
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 1949
NPG P155
by Graham Sutherland
sketchbook, 104 pages, 1949
NPG 5326
by Graham Sutherland
lithograph, 1953
NPG 5329
by Graham Sutherland
black chalk, pencil and gouache, 1953
NPG 5327
by Graham Sutherland
black chalk on tracing paper, 1953
NPG 5328
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 12 October 1929
NPG x81148
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 12 October 1929
NPG x81149
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 12 October 1929
NPG x81150
by Howard Coster
bromide print, 1930
NPG Ax2317
by Howard Coster
bromide print, 1930
NPG Ax3460
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1930
NPG x23660
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1930
NPG x23669
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1930
NPG x23671
by Carl Van Vechten
cream-toned bromide print, 26 May 1934
NPG x135982
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23661
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23663
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23664
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23665
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23666
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23667
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23668
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23670
by Bassano Ltd
half-plate film negative, 17 June 1939
NPG x127591
by Bassano Ltd
half-plate film negative, 17 June 1939
NPG x127592
by Bassano Ltd
half-plate film negative, 17 June 1939
NPG x127593
by Bassano Ltd
half-plate film negative, 17 June 1939
NPG x127594
by Daniel Farson
bromide print on card page, 1947
NPG x46630
by Daniel Farson
bromide print on card page, 1947
NPG x46631
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1949
NPG x14140
by John Gay
vintage glossy bromide print, 1949
NPG x126502
by Tom Blau
modern bromide print from original negative, 1950
NPG x131945
by Tom Blau
modern bromide print from original negative, 1950
NPG x135709
by Tom Blau
modern bromide print from original negative, 1950
NPG x135710
by Tom Blau
modern bromide print from original negative, 1950
NPG x135711
by Tom Blau, for Camera Press: London: UK
bromide print, 1950
NPG x135967
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136752
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136753
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136754
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136755
by Yevonde
bromide print, November 1955
NPG x21271
by Yevonde
matte bromide print on card mount, November 1955
NPG x29068
by Yevonde
bromide print, November 1955
NPG x21270
by Yevonde
bromide print, November 1955
NPG x21269
by Yevonde
bromide print, November 1955
NPG x29067
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.