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The photographs of famed fashion designer and photographer, Cecil Beaton, have landed in the States this past week. The Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, VA, will be hosting the photos on loan from London’s National Portrait Gallery until January 6, 2008.
Museum description of the exhibit:
This exhibition features several images of Hollywood’s most distinguished and glamorous celebrities including Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy, Harold Pinter, Mick Jagger, Jackie O, and Tarzan’s Johnny Weissmuller. Other images include fashion designers Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli, artists Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso, and British royals Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mum.
Cecil Beaton: Photographs from the National Portrait Gallery, London, spans 50 years of Beaton’s career and includes portraits that demonstrate how he cleverly mixed his mastery of composition with the ability to capture the spirits of those he admired most. Many of the images on display are “essays” in theatrical organization or design, while others show the skill of a painter in their tones, contrasts, and highlights.
Beaton’s classic 21st–century portraits not only allow future generations to view this era’s most prominent historical icons, but it also affords individuals the chance to see a career devoted to life as a form of theatre.
The exhibition is on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, London and will remain on view at the Chrysler Museum until January 6, 2008.
Beaton is famous for his fashion photography and portraits of famous classic celebrities and socialites. He photographed Vivien Leigh on several occasions over a period of about 14 years, starting in 1934 and ending in 1948 when he and the Oliviers had a falling out over artistic expression (sadly). It is a shame, in my opinion, he took the best photos of both Larry and Vivien.
These are several books published by Cecil himself as well as about his career. One, a biography on the photographer’s life entitles “The Unexpurgegated Beaton” was written by Vivien Leigh biographer, Hugo Vickers. Perhaps his best photo essay, in my opinion, is simply titled “Beaton Portraits” which features two wonderfully gorgeous plates of Vivien Leigh as well as photos of Audrey Hepburn, Garbo, and Marlon Brando among others.
If you live in the Norfolk area, I would really recommend going to see this exhibit, even if they don’t have any Vivien photos. His character studies are impeccable, his lighting amazing, and his costumes are lovely. So if you like photography, Vogue, the word “pretty” or anything of that nature, you’ll probably love the exhibit!
Find out more information on ticket prices and whatnot here: http://www.dailypress.com/features/dp-gl_beaton_1021oct21,0,3930980.story
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