Cecil Beaton

by John Phillips
bromide fibre print, 1937
13 3/4 in. x 10 3/4 in. (348 mm x 274 mm)
Accepted in lieu of tax by H.M. Government and allocated to the Gallery, 1991
Photographs Collection
NPG x40637

Sitterback to top

Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), Photographer, designer and writer. Sitter associated with 361 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 1111 portraits.

Artistback to top

John Phillips (1914-1996), Photographer. Artist or producer of 2 portraits.

Placesback to top

Place made: United Kingdom: England, Wiltshire (Ashcombe, Wiltshire)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1937back to top

Current affairs

George VI becomes king. The younger brother of Edward VIII was crowned on the 12th May and the coronation was broadcast to Britain and the Empire on the radio. Edward becomes the Duke of Windsor, although the rank of 'Royal Highness' is not extended to Wallis Simpson.
Neville Chamberlain becomes Prime Minister following Baldwin's retirement.

Art and science

Roland Penrose organises a tour of Picasso's painting Guernica to the UK. The painting, which shows the horrors of the Spanish Civil War, went on display at the Whitechapel Art Gallery in East London

International

Commercial airship travel is brought to an end with the 'Hindenberg Disaster'. The German airship exploded while landing in New Jersey. The radio broadcaster Herbert Morrison's reaction has become legendary: 'Oh, the humanity!'
Japan invades China, killing about 25,000. Japanese Troops committed numerous atrocities against soldiers and civilians in what became known as the 'Rape of Nanking'.

Tell us more back to top

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