Shirley Bassey

McBEAN, Angus (Photographer)

Welsh artist, Angus McBean is best known for his theatrical and inventive photography of the 1930s and 40s. His career in set design and interest in surrealism contributed to his unique photographic style and approach, and made him one of the most sought-after portrait photographers of the twentieth century. This is a photograph of the famous singer from Tiger Bay, Shirley Bassey.

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Details

Collection

Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales

Item Number

NMW A 29528

Historical Associations

Associated Person/Body: McBEAN, Angus

Association Type: Artist

Creation/Production

McBEAN, Angus

McBean began his career in the theatre as mask-maker and scenery designer before turning to full-time theatre photography. McBean is renowned for his theatrical and inventive photography of the 1930s and 1940s. Imitated throughout his career, his influence especially in advertising is still prominent today. In 1935 he opened his own studio; and his prominent style was soon being published in glossy magazines. The Surrealist Exhibition in 1936 was an influence on McBean's theatrical portraits. After the Second World War he opened a larger studio in Covent Garden, and in the 1940s and 1950s was inundated with commissions from theatre companies. In the 1960s McBean photographed the Beatles for their first album.

Role: Artist

Role: Photographer

Period: 1959