Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Bt
(1879-1961), ConductorSitter in 28 portraits
Beecham was one of Britain's most influential conductors. Grandson of the patentee of the medical remedy Beecham's Pills, his conducting debut was in 1902 at the Shakespeare Theatre, Clapham. After founding the Beecham Symphony Orchestra in 1909, performances with Diaghilev's Ballets Russes followed in 1911-12. During the 1920s, he was principally associated with the London Symphony Orchestra, and in the 1930s was artistic director of the opera seasons at Covent Garden. He founded the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1932, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1946. In the 1950s Beecham undertook extensive international tours. His final performance was at Portsmouth Guildhall in May 1960.
by Man Ray, and by Curtis Moffat
gelatin silver print, early 1920s
NPG P1827
by Ernest Procter
pencil, 1929
NPG 4975(11)
Sir Thomas Beecham Conducting 'A Mass of Life' at the Queen's Hall, 1929
by Ernest Procter
composite of 16 pencil studies, 1929
NPG 6108
by Ernest Procter
pencil, 1929
NPG 4975(9)
by Ernest Procter
pencil, 1929
NPG 4975(10)
by Ernest Procter
pencil, 1929
NPG 4975(16)
by Ernest Procter
pencil, 1929
NPG 4975(20)
Sir Thomas Beecham conducting 'A Mass of Life' at the Queen's Hall
by Ernest Procter
pencil, 1929
NPG 4975(31)
by Ernest Procter
pencil, 1929
NPG 4975(31a)
Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Bt with members of the orchestra
by Ernest Procter
pencil, 1929
NPG 4975(32)
by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1946
NPG P490(11)
by Gordon Stuart
oil on board, 1953-1954
NPG L106
by Stephen Glass
bromide print, 1930s
NPG x35635
by Gordon Anthony
modern bromide print from original negative, circa 1935
NPG x44776
by Derek Allen, for Camera Press: London: UK
vintage print, 1940s
NPG x194228
by Derek Allen
bromide print, 1948
NPG x24101
Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Bt; Betty Humby Beecham
by Peter Keen
vintage bromide print, 1958
NPG x125332
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.