The Zuleika Gallery, in association with art dealer Harry Moore-Gwyn, holds a part-selling show focused on Beaton’s work relating to theatrical productions of the 1950s. Cecil Beaton and The Theatre, which is the first of a series of new exhibitions the gallery will present at Blenheim Palace, runs until August 31.
The 1950s accounted for some of Beaton’s most memorable stage designs, including those for eminent figures in the world of ballet such as Frederick Ashton and George Balanchine and for the play and film My Fair Lady.
He was also involved in the celebrated 1954 production of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost. A watercolour from this production depicting actor Charles Gray’s costume for Marcadé has an asking price of £5000 and is among some two-dozen works for sale.
Woodstock pop-up
Meanwhile, Sarah Colegrave Fine Art hosts a pop-up exhibition in the market town of Woodstock (next to Blenheim Palace) from July 12-18.
Mercutio and Benvolio in 'Romeo and Juliet' by Norman Wilkinson is priced at £1750 from Sarah Colegrave Fine Art.
A Sense of Theatre includes a selection of costume designs and theatrical pictures by Beaton and other leading 20th century stage designers and playwrights, including Oliver Messel, Noel Coward, Claud Lovat Fraser, Albert Rutherston and Cathleen Mann.
Priced at £1750 is a watercolour by Norman Wilkinson (1882-1934) of Mercutio and Benvolio from a 1927 production of Romeo and Juliet. Wilkinson was considered one of the great Shakespearean designers during the first half of the 20th century.
