Cecil Beaton Photo of Jean Cocteau

BEATON, CECIL. Gelatin Silver Photograph of Jean Cocteau, 7.5" x 9.125", n.p., circa 1933. Photographer credit wet stamped to verso, “Cecil Beaton / Photograph”. Surface impressions, a few light bumps to corners, minor edge wear, else in beautiful condition.

In this characteristically surreal Beaton photo, we find a standing Jean Cocteau peeking out from the bottom corner of a huge decorative glass window. A striking photo of one artist, by another.  

Cecil Beaton (1904-1980) was a British fashion, portrait and war photographer, diarist, painter, and interior designer, as well as an Oscar–winning stage and costume designer for films and the theatre. He is known for his elaborately decorated and intricate backdrops, which often nod towards Surrealism. Beaton photographed a generation of glitzy young aristocrats and socialites, though his most frequent sitters were his two sisters, Nancy, and Barbara.

As a fashion photographer, Beaton worked for Vogue in London, Paris, and New York. Throughout the 1930s, he shot Hollywood film stars for Vanity Fair, revealing an increasing reliance on close-ups of the face. After photographing Queen Elizabeth in Buckingham Palace in 1939, Beaton was invited to become the Royal photographer of choice. Finally, Beaton was appointed as an official photographer for the Ministry of Information in 1940. Beaton’s contributions as a stage designer to the films, Gigi (1958) and My Fair Lady (1964) gained him Oscars and made him a household name.

Beaton received an honorary knighthood for his contributions to the arts in 1956. His work has been presented in major exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery, London; the Museum of the City of New York, USA; and the Imperial War Museum, London.

Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) was a French poet, playwright, novelist, designer, filmmaker, visual artist, and critic. Throughout all his work, Cocteau held true to certain principles of artistic creation. One of these principles was the invocation of mystery. He once explained that “the less a work of art is understood, the less quickly it will open its petals and the less quickly it will wither.” Some of the mystery that Cocteau sought in his art is also found in the enduring public image he created for himself. Cocteau was prolifically creative in a variety of the arts.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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