Search the Collection

Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Bt

(1879-1961), Conductor

Sitter in 24 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.

Tell us More

List Thumbnail

View2040 60results per page

Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Bt

by Peter Keen
vintage bromide print, 1958
NPG x125335

Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Bt

by Douglas Glass
vintage bromide print, 8 November 1959
NPG x134993

Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Bt

by Mark Wayner (Weiner)
lithograph, published 1931
NPG D23316

Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Bt

by Milein Cosman
etching, late 1950s
NPG D31568

View2040 60results per page

Related People

Betty (née Morgan Humby), Lady Beecham (wife)
Thomas Welles Beecham (son)
Utica Celestina (née Welles), Lady Beecham (wife)

Groups

Places

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

* What can you tell us? (Help)

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citation (Help)

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Denied Granted

* Your name (Why?)

* Email (Why?)

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.

Tell us more

Can you tell us more about this person?

Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Bt