Portraits by Angus McBean…where do you start? The Welsh photographer, who died on this day in 1990, left behind such vast quantities of glamorous otherness that a manageable selection must of necessity be a completely subjective choice. I especially love Quentin Crisp’s hommage to his beloved screen sirens, and the charged portrait of McBean’s contemporary and rival Cecil Beaton, who deployed similar visual means to far greater success. But who wouldn’t want to be recommended to eternity in a McBean portrait?
Luise Rainer
Dame Peggy Ashcroft
Quentin Crisp
Ivor Novello
Joyce Grenfell
Cecil Beaton
Robert Helpmann
Shirley Bassey
Elizabeth Taylor
Danny La Rue
Further reading
Dress-down Friday: Angus McBean
Coming home?, A star, at last, Homecoming (Luise Rainer)
A medley of extemporanea, “A huge old baby vulture”, Riviera rani, Dress-down Friday: Molly Fink (Cecil Beaton)
On style, Merry Crispmas, A Casati family tree, Crispmas greetings, Strange Flowers guide to London, part 2 and 3, No regrets, Catching up, The Chelsea, Ironfoot Jack on film (Quentin Crisp)
ah the superb mr mcbean.
Indeed!
Almost disgustingly gorgeous. I still haven’t been through the treasure trove of McBean photos that were linked here some time ago, but of the NPG stock I must say this this self-portrait is my favorite. And who wouldn’t love receiving one of his punny Christmas cards?
Thank you for the weekend glamor!
Oh to have been an entry on Angus McBean’s Christmas card list!
the Neptune image is fabulous
Absolutely stunning images.
Glad you think so!
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