}

Cecil Beaton

Portraits

May 13 - July 26, 2015

One of the most significant and multi-faceted photographers of the 20th century, Cecil Beaton’s (1904-1980) captivating portraits were exhibited for the first time in Turkey at Pera Museum.

The exhibition focusing on Oscar winning costume designer Cecil Beaton was curated by Terence Pepper, the Senior Advisor on Photographs at the National Portrait Gallery in London, and included portraits of artists, actors, writers, intellectuals and royalty from between 1920s to the 1970s, from the collection of Sotheby’s Cecil Beaton Studio Archive.

Cecil Beaton worked in a variety of media ranging from painting, illustration, caricature, theatre and film costume design (winning two Oscars for the latter category for ‘Gigi’ and ‘My Fair Lady’), as well as being a best-selling author, photographic historian, diarist, and occasional actor. However it is as a photographer that most critics agree that he made his most important contribution to the arts.

Beaton’s photographs define a glittering generation, as he captured from behind his camera lens the great and famous personalities of the 1920s to the 1970s - from eminent artists, to iconic actors, influential philosophers, and international royalty. These intimate portraits tell the story behind the public veneer of the sitter, illuminating their private lives and relationships with Beaton himself.

 

 in collaboration

gallery wall paint sponsor

Exhibition Catalogue

Cecil Beaton

Cecil Beaton

Realized in collaboration with the Pera Museum and The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s the exhibition Cecil Beaton: Portraits included portraits of artists, movie stars, writers,...

‘Cecil Beaton: Portraits’ with Merih Akoğul

‘Cecil Beaton: Portraits’ with Merih Akoğul

Video

The Battle of Varna

The Battle of Varna

Over the years of 1864 through 1876, Stanisław Chlebowski served Sultan Abdülaziz in Istanbul as his court painter. As it was, Abdülaziz disposed of considerable artistic talents of his own, and he actively involved himself in Chlebowski’s creative process, suggesting ideas for compositions –such as ballistic pieces praising the victories of Turkish arms. 

Dancing on Architecture

Dancing on Architecture

I think it was Frank Zappa – though others claim it was Laurie Anderson – who said in an interview that ‘writing on music is much like dancing on architecture’. 

Soothsayer Serenades I Beautiful People by Sarp Dakni

Soothsayer Serenades I Beautiful People by Sarp Dakni

Today we are thrilled to present the second playlist of Amrita Hepi’s Soothsayer Serenades series as part of the Notes for Tomorrow exhibition.