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Cecil Beaton Photography

British, 1904-1980

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.

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Artist: Cecil Beaton
Recognized Seller Listings
Elsa Schiaparelli, 1936 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Elsa Schiaparelli, 1936 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Elsa Schiaparelli' and stamped with photographer's and Sotheby's Cecil Beaton studio ink stamps on re...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Baba Beaton and Prince Galitzine, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Baba Beaton and Prince Galitzine, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Signed in pencil on mount Inscribed with 'Baba Prince Galitzine' in unknown hand, stamped with photograph...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Schiaparelli Model, Paris, c.1936 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Schiaparelli Model, Paris, c.1936 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Paris model' and 'Schiaparelli' in unknown hand and stamped with photographer's and Sotheby...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Johnny Weissmuller, 1932 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Johnny Weissmuller, 1932 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Signed on front of mount Stamped with photographer's studio ink stamp on rev...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Dame Edith Sitwell at Tea, 1930 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Dame Edith Sitwell at Tea, 1930 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Edith Sitwell' in unknown hand and stamped with photographer's studio in...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Merle Oberon, 1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Merle Oberon, 1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Merle Oberon' and stamped with Sotheby's Cecil Beaton studio ink stamp on reverse Sil...
Category

1930s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Anna May Wong, 1930 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Anna May Wong, 1930 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Signed on mount Stamped with photographer's studio ink stamp on reverse of mount Silver gelatin...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mary Taylor, c.1934 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography/Fashion Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Mary Taylor, c.1934 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography/Fashion Photography) Inscribed 'Mary Taylor' in unknown hand and stamped with photographers copyri...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Nancy James Modelling One of her Husband's Creations, 1955 - Cecil Beaton
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Nancy James Modelling One of her Husband's Creations, 1955 - Cecil Beaton Stamped with Sotheby's Cecil Beaton studio ink stamp on reverse Silver gelatin print, printed c.1955 9 1/4...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Anne Armstrong-Jones, 1928 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Anne Armstrong-Jones, 1928 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed with 'Lady Rosse' in unknown hand and stamped with Sotheby's Cecil Beaton studio ink stamp on reverse Silve...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Karen Morely, 1932 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Karen Morely, 1932 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed with 'Karen Morely' in unknown hand and stamped with photographer's and Sotheby's Cecil Beaton studio ink stamps on...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Tallulah Bankhead, 1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Tallulah Bankhead, 1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Bankhead' in unknown hand and stamped with photographer's and Sotheby's Cec...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mrs Mona Williams, 1936 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Mrs Mona Williams, 1936 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Inscribed with 'Mrs Harrison Williams' in unknown hand and stamped with photographer's and Sotheby's Cecil Beato...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Vicomtesse de Noailles, 1938 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Vicomtesse de Noailles, 1938 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Vicontesse de Noailles' in unknown hand and stamped with photographer...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Lady Edwina Mountbatten, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Lady Edwina Mountbatten, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inkwash signature on mount Inscribed 'Lady Louis Mountbatten' in unknown hand an...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mrs Beaton, c.1925 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Mrs Beaton, c.1925 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Signed in pencil on mount Inscribed 'Mrs Beaton' in unknown hand and stamped with photographer's st...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Merle Oberon, 1934 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Merle Oberon, 1934 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Merle Oberon' in unknown hand and stamped with photographer's and Sotheby's Ce...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Meraud Guinness, 1930s - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Meraud Guinness, 1930s - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Inkwash signature on mount Stamped with Sotheby's Cecil Beaton studio ink stamp on reverse Silver gelatin print m...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Carmen Dell'Orefice with Cutout Backdrop for 'Vogue', 1949 - Cecil Beaton
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Carmen Dell'Orefice with Cutout Backdrop for 'Vogue', 1949 - Cecil Beaton Inscribed with 'CB' Stamped with Conde Nast dated ink stamp and photograher's ink...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Lady Jersey, 1935 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Lady Jersey, 1935 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Idyll: Lady Jersey' and stamped with photographer's and Sotheby's Cecil Beaton studio ink stamps on reverse...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Lady Eleanor Smith with Lillies, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Lady Eleanor Smith with Lillies, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inkswash signature on mount Inscribed 'Lady Eleanor Smith' and stamped with Sotheby's Cecil Beaton studio ...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Portrait of Christian Bérard, 1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Portrait of Christian Bérard, 1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Signed Silver gelatin print, printed c. 1970s 9 x 6 1/2 inches Cecil Beaton (1904-1980) had a brilliant aes...
Category

1930s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Gary Cooper, 1931 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Gary Cooper, 1931 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Signed in pencil on mount Stamped with photographer's studio ink stamp on reverse of mount Silver g...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mariannna Van Rensselar In Charles James Hat, 1930 - Cecil Beaton
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Mariannna Van Rensselar In Charles James Hat, 1930 - Cecil Beaton Stamped with photographer's and Sotheby's Cecil Beaton studio ink stamps on reverse Silver gelatin print 9 1/2 x 7 ...
Category

1930s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Constance Bennett, c.1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Constance Bennett, c.1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Constance Bennett' and 'Please deliver to C. Beaton, if this photographs of this series not being used' in...
Category

1930s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Zita and Teresa Jungman, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Zita and Teresa Jungman, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Red inkwash signature Inscribed 'the Jungman sisters' in unknown hand and stamped with Sotheby's Cecil Beaton stud...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mrs Daisy Fellows, c.1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Mrs Daisy Fellows, c.1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Mrs Reginald Fellowes' in unknown hand and stamped with Sotheby's Cecil Beat...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Jean Patchett, for 'Vogue' , 1949 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Jean Patchett, for 'Vogue' , 1949 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Stamped with photographer's and Sotheby's Cecil Beaton studio ink stamps and Conde Nast date ink stamp...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Merle Oberon as Antonita, 1934 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Merle Oberon as Antonita, 1934 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Signed in pencil on mount Inscribed with 'Merle Oberon' in unknown hand and s...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Margot Asquith, Lady Oxford, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Margot Asquith, Lady Oxford, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Top half of red inkwash signature on tape and unknown studio label fixed to mount Inscribed 'Lady Oxford' on ...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mary Oakes and Mary Gosgrave for 'Vogue', 1936 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Mary Oakes and Mary Gosgrave for 'Vogue', 1936 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait) Stamped with date stamp and M.F Ahga estate ink stamps on reverse Silver gelatin print, printed c. 19...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Countess of Pembroke, c.1935 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
The Countess of Pembroke, c.1935 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Silver gelatin print, printed c. 1935 11 x 9 inches Cecil Beaton (1904-1980) had a brilliant aesthetic...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Drape Dress By Mme. Gress, c.1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Drape Dress By Mme. Gress, c.1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed with various printer's marks and "Cecil Beaton" on mount Inscribed "Cecil Beaton" and stamped with ...
Category

1930s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Talullah Bankhead, 1930 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Talullah Bankhead, 1930 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed with the dedication 'to Edwina from Tallulah, London 1930' Signed on front of mount Silver gelatin print moun...
Category

1930s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Corinne Griffith, 1930 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Corinne Griffith, 1930 - Cecil Beaton (Fashion Portrait Photography) Red inkwash signature on mount Inscribed 'Corinne Griffith' in unknown hand and stamped with Sotheby's Cecil Bea...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Jean Patchett Against Cutout Backdrop for 'Vogue' , 1949 - Cecil Beaton
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Jean Patchett Against Cutout Backdrop for 'Vogue' , 1949 - Cecil Beaton Inscribed with 'CB' Stamped with Conde Nast dated ink stamp, Sotheby's Cecil Beaton studio and photographer's...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Lady Pamela Smith, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Lady Pamela Smith, 1927 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Purple inkwash signature on mount Inscribed 'Lady Pamela Smith' and stamped with Sotheby's ...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Carole Lombard, 1931 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Carole Lombard, 1931 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Signed on front of mount Stamped with photographer's ink stamp on reverse Silver gelatin prin...
Category

1930s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Georgia Sitwell, 1930 - Portrait Photography
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Inscribed 'Mrs Sacheverell Sitwell' and 'Mrs Sitwell' in unknown hand and stamped with photographer's and Sotheby's Cecil Beaton Studio ink stamps on reverse Silver gelatin print, pr...
Category

20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Charles James Dresses, New York
By Cecil Beaton
Located in New York, NY
Stamped by the photographer's estate.
Category

1940s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Models wearing Schiaparelli Desk Suit, Vogue, 1936 - Cecil Beaton (photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Fashion Picture, Paris, 1930s - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed with title in unknown hand on reverse of mount. Silver gelatin print, printed before 1945, mounted on bo...
Category

1930s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Louise, Comtesse Palfy, circa 1938 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Louise, Comtesse Palfy, circa 1938 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Beaton Cavalcade: 31' and 'Comtesse Palfy (Louise de Vilmorin - Poetess) photographed from balcony...
Category

1930s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ruth Ford, Paris, 1936 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Ruth Ford, Paris, 1936 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Inscribed 'Beaton Cavalcade: 53' on reverse of mount. Silver gelatin print, printed before 1945,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Baba and Nancy Beaton, circa 1926 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography)
By Cecil Beaton
Located in London, GB
Baba and Nancy Beaton, circa 1926 - Cecil Beaton (Portrait Photography) Silver gelatin print, printed circa 1926, mounted on board 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches Cecil Beaton (1904-1980) had ...
Category

1920s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Audrey Hepburn
By Cecil Beaton
Located in New York, NY
Print is stamped by the photographer's estate.
Category

1950s Cecil Beaton Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Cecil Beaton photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Cecil Beaton photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Cecil Beaton in silver gelatin print, archival pigment print, pigment print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Cecil Beaton photography, so small editions measuring 6 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Brian Duffy, Graham Nash, and Bill Brandt. Cecil Beaton photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $495 and tops out at $27,873, while the average work can sell for $8,274.
Questions About Cecil Beaton Photography
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    When he was young, Cecil Beaton became enamored by the portraits of high-society women and actresses in the newspapers. At age 11, his nurse taught him how to use a camera and develop film. You can shop a selection of Cecil Beaton’s pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.

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