CECIL BEATON - THE ROYAL PORTRAITS - Softcover

Beaton, Cecil & Roy Strong

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0500275807 ISBN 13: 9780500275801

Publisher: THAMES HUDSON, 1999

Synopsis

Offers five decades of Beaton's Royal portraits, capturing, in many never-before-seen photographs, the history, romance, and majestic grandeur of royalty, as well as the human side of the Royal Family

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

Cecil Beaton photographed the British royal family from 1930 until his death in 1979. Last year, his secretary bequeathed his thousands of prints, color transparencies and negatives to the Victoria & Albert Museum. In this handsome book, Roy Strong, museum director until 1987, presents 290 of the pictures, 20 in color, interposing Beaton's candid and sometimes biting diary entries about the sittings. Before-and-after proofs show why the Duke of Windsor ("he has common handslike a little mechanic") insisted on airbrushing and retouching. Other royals Beaton snapped include Queen Elizabeth II, who at her 1953 coronation said, "Yes in reply to my question, the crown does get rather heavy"; Prince Charles, who at 12 "has to be hearty . . . because that's what Papa expects of him"; and 10-year-old Princess Anne, who "continued her shrewishness" during a difficult session. A treat for those addicted to inside dope on the royals. BOMC dividend.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

British photographer Beaton was noted for his portraits of royalty. His career spanned 50 years and included well-known portraits of King Geroge V and Queen Mary; his last official photo was in 1979. More than just a photographer, Beaton helped the royal family develop a worldwide image, an important component in the evolution and stability of the British monarchy as symbolic leaders of the Commonwealth. His photos were also an essential part of Britain's public relations and morale efforts, especially after Edward VIII's abdication and during World War II. A splendid compendium of Beaton's best works, supplemented by text explaining his importance. Excellent for photography and royalty collections. Katherine Galloway Garstka, Intergraph Corp., Huntsville, Ala.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: THAMES HUDSON
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0500275807
• ISBN 13: 9780500275801
• Binding: Perfect Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 228
• Illustrator: Profusely Illustrated