Cecil BeatonEnglish, 1904–1980Drawing
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Victoria and Albert Museum
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- 9 days ago
- In this state since
- Sep 25, 2026
- Source
- The museum's own collection data
About the work
Pen and ink full length sketch of a female figure, possibly a costume design, created by Cecil Beaton, ca. 1960-70. The sketch has been drawn on the rear of a typed manuscript showing diary entries which have been annotated in blue biro. These entries would later be revised to become part of Cecil Beaton's, 'Fair Lady', published in 1964.
Sir Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton, CBE (14 January 1904 – 18 January 1980) was an English fashion, portrait and war photographer, diarist, painter, interior designer and an Academy Award-winning stage and costume designer for films and the theatre.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- S.2268-2014
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum: the museum's own open data · fetched 9 days ago
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Meanwhile, in the life of Cecil Beaton
The whole life1922–1974
Diaries, 1922–1974
Six volumes of his diaries, spanning the years 1922–1974, are published in his lifetime. According to Hugo Vickers, who edited a fuller edition, opinions in the published volumes are softened, whereas in the originals Beaton can be truly venomous.
1952–1969
Designs for Broadway
His Broadway credits include The Grass Harp (1952), The Chalk Garden (1955), Saratoga (1959), Tenderloin (1960) and Coco (1969); he wins four Tony Awards for costume design, for Quadrille (1955), My Fair Lady (1957), Saratoga (1960) and Coco (1970).
1958
Academy Award for the costumes of “Gigi”
His costume designs for Lerner and Loewe’s film musical Gigi win him the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
6 April 1959 · Award
Academy Award for Best Costume Design
1960 · Award
Tony Award for Best Costume Design
early 1960s
Meets David Bailey at British Vogue
At British Vogue he meets David Bailey, whom he influences: Bailey’s use of the square 6x6 format resembles Beaton’s own working patterns. His influence on Angus McBean, a well-known portrait photographer of the era, was just as marked.
