Cecil Beaton: Staging Icons,

Step into the glamorous world of Cecil Beaton, the legendary photographer who captured some of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, from Hollywood legends (including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Fred Astaire) and stars of the West End to the British royal family.

Beaton’s first love was the stage, and this was reflected in his ground-breaking photographic style, which often involved elaborate backdrops, theatrical props, and posed compositions. This approach enabled Beaton to craft photographs that blurred the line between reality and artifice. Through costume, lighting, and composition, Beaton turned photography into visual theatre.

Sections invite viewers to reconsider notions of identity, legacy, and image-making; whether capturing a monarch or a muse, Beaton shaped the public imagination with the same tools: fantasy, beauty, and the art of performance. This exhibition showcases the National Portrait Gallery’s extensive collection of Beaton’s photographs, featuring works on public display for the first time, while also exploring Harewood’s own connections to Beaton’s world.

Images courtesy of © Cecil Beaton Archive, Condé Nast; and © Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

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