Artwork Details
Cecil Beaton
English,
1904-1980
Gertrude Lawrence
1928
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
10 x 8 inches
Location
Not on view
Accession Number
1988.14.47
Credit
Museum Purchase
About the Artwork
Photographer, designer, and illustrator Cecil Beaton was one of the most successful and indelible queer creators of the 20th century. His career took off in the mid-1920s when he began to contribute photographs and illustrations to Vogue magazine and he was soon capturing the famous faces of Hollywood, high society, and the British Royal family. He brought his brilliant aesthetic eye to Broadway, designing sets, costumes, and lighting, before taking his talents to film. Beaton’s costume and stage designs won him three Academy Awards, including one for My Fair Lady (1964) starring Audrey Hepburn. In this photograph, Beaton captured stage actress Gertrude Lawrence with his typical elegance and careful staging.