Artist: Angus McBean (Welsh, 1904-1990). Title: "Audrey Hepburn". Medium: Original photogravure. Date: Composed 1950. Printed later. Dimensions: Overall size: 11 3/4 x 9 3/8 in. (298 x 238 mm). Lot Note(s): Stamped with the photographer's name, verso. Edition unknown, presumed small. High-grade archival paper. Printed to the edge of the sheet. Fine, quality printing. Very good to fine condition; affixed to very thin and supple archival acid-free support sheet, not mount/board. Comment(s): McBean was a photographer, set designer, and cult figure originally associated with surrealism. The image is a publicity photograph taken for the firm Lacto-Calamine Ltd. McBean recalled: “Audrey Hepburn was appearing as one of the chorus in the Cambridge Theatre. She got the usual model fee of four guineas. The firm which assigned me wanted a dreamlike quality. So I used small marble replicas of the Coliseum in Rome. This is built up scenery, no montage.” A silver print of this image, McBean’s classic photograph of Hepburn, sold for an auction record (per “Gordon’s”) of $10,391 (£6,875) at Sotheby's, London, 9/30/2015, lot #320. Image copyright © The Estate of Angus McBean. [29632-2-300] |