Cecil Beaton: The Royal Portraits (Victoria and Albert Museum)

Cecil Beaton: The Royal Portraits is a book that explores the creation of a public image through the portraits of the British royal family by Cecil Beaton. It examines the sittings in which the portraits were created, revealing Beaton's central role in shaping the public face of the House of Windsor and how he collaborated with his subjects. The book is organized chronologically and includes an introductory essay, plates with extended captions, and in-depth analyses of a particular sitting. It also features contextual material such as contact sheets, test shots, out-takes, sketches, letters, journals, and tear-sheets to build a detailed picture of Beaton's working methods and the relationships he developed with his sitters.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Cecil Beaton's portraits of the British royal family played a crucial role in shaping their public image. In his book, Cecil Beaton: The Royal Portraits, author Andrew Roberts delves into the creation of these iconic images. The book offers a fresh perspective on Beaton's portraits, exploring not only the final photographs but also the sittings that preceded them. Through extensive captions and in-depth analyses, Roberts sheds light on Beaton's central role in shaping the public face of the House of Windsor.

The book is organized chronologically, spanning from the 1930s to the 1970s. Each chapter includes an introductory essay, accompanied by plates featuring extended captions and one or two in-depth examinations of specific sittings. Various contextual materials, such as contact sheets, test shots, out-takes, sketches, letters, journals, and tear-sheets, provide a comprehensive insight into Beaton's working methods, the relationships he established with his subjects, and the reception of the final portraits.

Drawing upon the unparalleled collection of Beaton photographs held at the Victoria and Albert Museums, Cecil Beaton: The Royal Portraits appeals to a wide audience, including photography enthusiasts and those who continue to be fascinated by the distinction between the private world and the public face of the royal family.

Weight: 1792g
Dimension: 252 x 305 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500480922