Self-portrait
Photograph
1930 (photographed)
1930 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In the 1920s and 1930s Cecil Beaton was one of London's 'Bright Young Things'. He printed this photograph from two negatives, sandwiching them together to make a 'memento mori' (a reminder of death). One was a self-portrait, the other a skull. The composite image offers a typically stylish modernisation of an ancient theme.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Gelatin-silver print |
| Brief description | Photograph by Sir Cecil Beaton, 'Self-portrait', 1930, gelatin silver print |
| Physical description | One one side, black and white self-portrait of Cecil Beaton, wearing a mask, and with a skull. On the reverese, a portrait of King George. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Photography Centre 2018-20:
Cecil Beaton (1904–1980)
Self-portrait
1930
Beaton launched his career as a society photographer with an exhibition in London in 1926, which quickly won him a contract with Vogue. Later, he became the official photographer to the British Royal Family, as well as an Oscar-winning stage and costume designer. He printed this 'memento mori' – a reminder of mortality – from two negatives, one depicting a skull and the other a self-portrait.
Gelatin silver print
Museum no. PH.3501-1987 |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Eileen Hose MBE |
| Object history | Beaton launched his career as a ‘society’ photographer in 1926 with an exhibition in London which won him an immediate contract with Vogue, where he worked for the next thirty years. His style was inspired by figures such as E.O. Hoppe, Edward Steichen and Baron de Meyer, the most successful magazine photographers of the 1910's and 1920's. Beaton’s fascination with glamour and high society prevailed throughout his life and in 1937 he became court photographer to the British Royal Family. He also became a successful stage and costume designer, most notably for 'My Fair Lady' and 'Gigi'. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | In the 1920s and 1930s Cecil Beaton was one of London's 'Bright Young Things'. He printed this photograph from two negatives, sandwiching them together to make a 'memento mori' (a reminder of death). One was a self-portrait, the other a skull. The composite image offers a typically stylish modernisation of an ancient theme. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | PH.3501-1987 |
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| Record created | July 29, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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