Cecil Beaton (1904–1980) - Pablo Picasso

Cecil Beaton (1904–1980), Pablo Picasso, 1965/2020

Pigment print, 23.7 x 18.5 cm. With mat frame 29.7 x 21 cm. Backside with edition label.

Lumas Edition

About
In 1965, Cecil Beaton traveled to South France to photograph Pablo Picasso at his villa 'Notre-Dame-de-Vie' near Mougins. The images are among the rare portraits that depict Picasso in a private setting—surrounded by objects, sculptures, and canvases from his later work.
Beaton met the artist with his characteristic blend of curiosity, sense of style, and respect. The photographs taken show Picasso partly serious, partly with a wink of self-staging — a play between genius and myth, captured with Beaton's sharp eye for composition and light.
This series is among the historically significant documents of the 1960s – it brings together two great personalities: the painter of Modernism and the chronicler of his time.

Biography
Cecil Beaton (1904–1980) was one of the most influential British photographers of the 20th century. As a portrait photographer, fashion photographer, and stage designer, he shaped the visual memory of his era—from the British royal family to Hollywood stars and the international art and culture scene.
Beaton worked for magazines like Vogue and Vanity Fair and created iconic images of icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Greta Garbo, and Queen Elizabeth II. Besides photography, he designed stage sets and costumes for film and theater, including 'My Fair Lady' and 'Gigi,' for which he received several Oscars.
His work is now featured in numerous collections and is sought after by collectors—especially his vintage silver prints, fashion portraits, and artist photographs.