Portrait of Cecil Beaton
Curtis Moffat, and Olivia Wyndham
Category
Photographs
Date
1920 - 1930
Materials
Paper
Measurements
516 mm (H)389 mm (W)
Order this imageCollection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 101391
Caption
Cecil Beaton (1904–80), the subject of these luminous photographs, was more accustomed to being on the other side of the lens – he is perhaps best known as one of the great fashion and society photographers of the 20th century. Nevertheless, he appears charmed here and plays his part elegantly, exhibiting a combination of staged glamour and thoughtful vulnerability. The images bring together the visionaries Cecil Beaton, Curtis Moffat and Olivia Wyndham. Beaton saw Moffat as one of his greatest influences, being impressed by Moffat’s use of flat lighting – or lack of lighting, and by his composition – or lack of it. By the 1920s, Moffat was famous for abstract works, super close-up portraits and a soft, silvery printing style. Beaton emulated this look in his own glittering and silvery works. It is highly fitting that these images are now held at the Fox Talbot Museum, which Beaton helped to create in the 1970s.
Summary
A quarter length nude portrait of photographer, painter and designer Cecil Beaton photographed by Curtis Moffat and Olivia Wyndham. Beaton is looking away from the camera to his right. A shadow of his head and shoulders is cast behind him. A second portrait from the same shoot is NT 101392.
Marks and inscriptions
signed by photographers
Makers and roles
Curtis Moffat, and Olivia Wyndham