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Samuel Beckett

9 of 42 portraits of Samuel Beckett

© University of Dundee The Peto Collection

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Samuel Beckett

by Michael Peto
modern bromide print from original negative, May 1961
15 1/4 in. x 11 7/8 in. (388 mm x 303 mm) image size
Given by University of Dundee - Michael Peto Collection, 2013
Photographs Collection
NPG x137676

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Michael Peto (1908-1970), Photojournalist. Artist or producer of 22 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

Beckett is shown in his Paris apartment at 38 Boulevard St. Jacques. This portrait was commissioned by the Observer and appeared in the paper with a review of Beckett's Poems in English by the poet and critic Al Alvarez (31 December 1961).

Placesback to top

  • Place made and portrayed: France (sitter's home, 38 Boulevard Saint-Jacques, Paris, France)

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1961back to top

Current affairs

Peter Benenson's article The Forgotten Prisoners is published internationally, inspiring the founding of the human rights organisation, Amnesty International.
The philosopher and peace activist Bertrand Russell is imprisoned for inciting civil disobedience during a sit down demonstration at the Ministry of Defence and Hyde Park.
The farthing coin - used in Britain for the last 7 centuries - ceases to be legal tender.

Art and science

Rudolf Nureyev defects from the USSR fearing that the KGB would arrest him for being gay and for fraternising with foreigners. After seeking asylum in Paris he set up home in London at the Royal Ballet and began his famous partnership with Margot Fonteyn.
The satirical magazine, Private Eye is first published.

International

The East German government erects the Berlin Wall, ceasing free movement between East and West Berlin. The barrier prevented citizens of Soviet controlled East Germany from crossing the border into West Germany to work, or to defect.
Yuri Gagarin, the soviet cosmonaut, becomes the first man in space orbiting the earth on the 12th April.

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