AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS.- Foam_Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam presents ‘Faces’, an exhibition of work by Cecil Beaton, from 30 June to 14 August 2005. Sir Cecil Beaton (1904-1980) was without doubt one of the most acclaimed British portrait photographers of the last century. His fascination with the world of glamour and high society was a theme that echoed throughout his life. He became famous for the elegant and surprising ways in which he captured those who sat for him. Everyone who mattered found their way in front of his camera: from film stars and stage actors to writers, pop stars and members of the British royal family. A portrait by Cecil Beaton was the ultimate proof of a successful career. ‘Faces’ features fifty portraits taken between 1928 and 1968. Besides self portraits, the show includes pictures of Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo and Audrey Hepburn. A unique exhibit is a series of contact sheets of a photo shoot with Marilyn Monroe. The exhibition concludes with photos Beaton took of Mick Jagger while working on his notorious film ‘Performance’ in 1968

Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton was born in Hampstead, London, the eldest son of a wealthy timber merchant. He went to Harrow and Cambridge, where he excelled in art. He left university to pursue a career as a photographer and his innovative portrait photos soon began to attract attention. Especially striking were the unorthodox poses in which he photographed his subjects, often dressed in unusual costumes and surrounded by all kinds of attributes. His theatrical portraits reflected the pervasive influence of surrealism in the art of this period.

In 1928 he was signed by Vogue as a fashion photographer. He soon found himself in the company of fashion designers such as Coco Chanel and Elsa Shiaparelli, and mixed with artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali as well as film stars Greta Garbo, Garry Cooper and Johnny Weissmuler.

In 1938 Beaton was appointed official photographer to the British royal family. He was especially productive in the 1950s, when he took his best known portraits. Beaton also designed sets and costumes for stage productions, opera and films for which he won a Tony Award (1957), an Academy Award (1958) and no less than two Oscars (1964). In 1972 Beaton was knighted for his contribution to the arts. He died in 1980.

Cecil Beaton was immensely influential in portrait photography, inspiring photographers such as David Bailey and Mario Testino. Foam is supported by the VandenEnde Foundation, Stichting DOEN and T-Mobile.