Cecil Beaton developed a distinctive style of photography where the subject was immersed in backgrounds made of unusual materials such as paper-mâché or aluminum foil. A socialite who rubbed elbows with royalty, celebrities and the wealthy aristocracy, the British photographer captured some of the most famous names of his time.
Beaton was born in London in 1904 to a successful lumber merchant and amateur actor. He received his first camera as a gift at age 11. Beaton later attended St. John’s College in Cambridge and studied art, history and architecture. He dropped out in 1925 and went to work in the family lumber business, but his free time was spent absorbed in photography.
Beaton befriended Sir Osbert Sitwell, who was captivated by his photographs and funded his first exhibition. It was an immediate sensation, leading to work with major magazines.
With a photography contract from Condé Nast, Beaton left for New York. By the end of the 1920s, he had worked as a staff photographer for Vanity Fair and Vogue. He continued to cultivate his unique portraiture style and published his work in several books. One of his greatest achievements was a commission from the British Royal Family in 1939, a relationship which endured for decades. During World War II, he served as a wartime photographer in Africa and East Asia.
After the war, Beaton returned to private portrait commissions. He also began designing costumes and sets for theater and the silver screen, winning an Academy Award for Best Costume Design for Gigi and awards for costume design and art direction for My Fair Lady. He also won costume design Tony awards for the Broadway shows Quadrille, My Fair Lady, Saratoga and Coco.
Beaton designed the sets and costumes for a production of the opera Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and then at Covent Garden, London. His diaries, which were scrapbooks of his life and interests, have garnered wide interest, and several volumes of them have been published.
On 1stDibs, find Cecil Beaton’s photography, drawings and watercolors, paintings and more.
$7,500
The Second Mrs Tanqueray Act III 1950 Haymarket Theatre Costume Watercolour by C
By Cecil Beaton
Located in Bristol, CT
Sir Arthur Wing Pinero's "The Second Mrs Tanqueray" Act III, signed Beaton (MR) from the Haymarket Theatre, London 1950 stage production. Provenance: Palm Beach Galleries...
Paper, Watercolor
$1,060Sale Price|26% Off
H 17.52 in W 20.48 in D 0.6 in
Art Nouveau Watercolour on Paper, Classical Chariot and Horses.
Located in Cotignac, FR
An early 20th century art nouveau watercolour of a classical chariot rider and horses by French artist Paul Hogg. Signed and dated 1919 to the bottom right. Presented in a fine custo...
Paper, Watercolor
$2,025
H 18 in W 15.5 in D 1.5 in
'The Dancers', French Late Mid Century Gouache on Textured Paper
Located in Cotignac, FR
Late Mid Century French watercolour and Gouache on handmade paper of a pair of dancers by Damien Hermellin. Signed and dated bottom right. Pres...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache, Handmade Paper
$2,507Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.5 in W 24.5 in D 1 in
Late 20th Century Expressionist Oil and Acrylic on Paper. 'Janine, The Muse'.
By Armand Avril
Located in Cotignac, FR
A vibrant colourful French portrait of Janine, muse of the artist Armand Avril. Signed and dated mid right. Presented in new contemporary framing under glass. Armand Avril (1926) i...
Paper, Oil, Acrylic, Gouache
Poolside at the Dupont
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Poolside at the Dupont" is a striking watercolor on rag paper that beautifully depicts a vintage 1950s leisure scene. The artwork depicts two women perched by a pool likely gossipin...
Watercolor, Rag Paper
$375
H 6 in W 8 in
"063 - Plein Air- Lair o the Bear, CO" (2022) By Judd Mercer, Gouache Painting
By Judd Mercer
Located in Denver, CO
Judd Mercer's (US based) "063 - Plein Air- Lair o the Bear, CO" is a gouache painting depicting a landscape. Artist bio/statement Judd Mercer is a contemporary landscape painter an...
Paper, Gouache
Victory Gallop - Equestrian Watercolor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Victory Gallop" is a mesmerizing watercolor on textured rag paper, capturing the essence of the Bon Vivant lifestyle. A woman, adorned in resplendent garments and an exquisite hat, ...
Watercolor, Rag Paper
$1,036
H 21.5 in W 27.5 in D 0.5 in
Expressionist Gouache and Watercolour Study for 'Alexander and His Army'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
French late 20th century watercolour and gouache study for the series 'Alexander and His Army' by Stephane Lovighi-Bourgogne. Presented in plain wood frame. A strong and forceful de...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
$375
H 6 in W 8 in
"058 - Plein Air-Red Rocks, CO" (2022) By Judd Mercer, Gouache Painting
By Judd Mercer
Located in Denver, CO
Judd Mercer's (US based) "058 - Plein Air-Red Rocks, CO" is a gouache painting depicting a landscape. Artist bio/statement Judd Mercer is a contemporary landscape painter and Color...
Paper, Gouache
$375
H 6 in W 8 in
"025 - Plein Air-Eldorado Canyon, CO" (2022) By Judd Mercer, Gouache Painting
By Judd Mercer
Located in Denver, CO
Judd Mercer's (US based) "025 - Plein Air-Eldorado Canyon, CO" is a gouache painting depicting mountainside with lush wilderness. Artist bio/statement Judd Mercer is a contemporary ...
Paper, Gouache
$610
H 28 in W 20 in
Pastel Constructivist Forms, Soft Tones Geometric Painting, Blue, Pink, Yellow
By Ryan Rivadeneyra
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Pastel Constructivist Forms" is a hand-painted acrylic painting on high-quality 300g paper by artist Ryan Rivadeneyra. This series focuses on geometric patterns and combinations of...
Oil Pastel, Ink, Sumi Ink, Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Archival Paper
$2,800
H 29.5 in W 24 in
"Seated Figure With Cigarette", Partially Nude Female, Watercolor on Paper
By Robert Andrew Parker
Located in Detroit, MI
"Seated Figure With Cigarette" is distinctly vibrant and sexual with a feminine-mystique glow in this stunning example of Robert Parker's Expressionist watercolor. Its colors mesh wi...
Paper, Watercolor
Commanding Curve - Equestrian Watercolor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Commanding Curve" is a captivating watercolor painting on rag paper that beautifully portrays the freedom horse riding allows. The artwork depicts a woman with short brown hair grac...
Watercolor, Rag Paper
An Athlete
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Oil on board, signed (lower right), 56cm x 41cm, (64cm x 49cm framed). The pictures is good condition, which has been cleaned recently. The frame is the original frame, which althoug...
Oil, Board
"Cecil Beaton Self -Portrait"
By Cecil Beaton
Located in Bristol, CT
Cecil Beaton, signed verso & (stamped Fotografia de IIugo Rodrigo Octavio), Self-Portrait Art Sz: 6.75" x 8.75" Frame Sz: 12" x 14"
Silver Gelatin