Angus McBean
(1904-1990), PhotographerSitter in 79 portraits
Artist associated with 283 portraits
Began his career in the theatre as mask-maker and scenery designer before turning to full-time theatre photography. McBean is renowned for his theatrical and inventive photography of the 1930s and 1940s. Imitated throughout his career, his influence especially in advertising is still prominent today. In 1935 he opened his own studio; and his prominent style was soon being published in glossy magazines. The Surrealist Exhibition in 1936 was an influence on McBean's theatrical portraits. After the Second World War he opened a larger studio in Covent Garden, and in the 1940s and 1950s was inundated with commissions from theatre companies. In the 1960s McBean photographed the Beatles for their first album.
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1933
NPG P930
by Angus McBean
bromide print, late 1930s
NPG P931
by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, 1938
NPG P1301
by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, 1938
NPG P1307
by Angus McBean
gelatin silver print, 1938
NPG P1701
by Angus McBean, by John Vickers
bromide print, 1938
NPG P901
Alfred Drayton (Alfred Varick); Robertson Hare
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1938
NPG P919
René Ray (née Irene Lilian Creese), Countess of Midleton
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1938
NPG P925
Pamela Stanley (Lady Cunynghame) as Queen Victoria in 'Victoria Regina'
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1938
NPG P926
Carol Goodner; Dame Peggy Ashcroft; Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1938
NPG P928
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1939
NPG P905
Anton Walbrook; Diana Wynyard; Rex Harrison
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1939
NPG P929
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1939
NPG P932
by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, circa 1940
NPG P618
by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, 1941
NPG P1299
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1945
NPG P933
by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, 1946
NPG P1298
by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, published in Ballet January 1946
NPG P1305
Sir Frederick Ashton; Ninette de Valois; Léonide Massine
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1946
NPG P911
Binkie Beaumont; Angela Baddeley; Emlyn Williams
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1947
NPG P59
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1947
NPG P934
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Theresa Mackey
03 October 2022, 18:57
Yes. My great aunt Gladys had all of his personal Christmas Cards. She was his PA.