Art

Signed and dated beneath the image lower right in pencil by McBean. Also inscribed on the verso of the mount by McBean "Copyright Angus McBean 1960. Studio portrait of Audrey Hepburn". This photograph formed part of McBean's estate that was bequeathed to his partner and studio assistant, David Ball. Ball was in his late teens when he met McBean. They became lovers and life-long companions, and was Angus McBean's sole heir. In 1951 Audrey Hepburn was merely a chorus girl with a contract to appear in minor decorative roles in a handful of British films. Using her as a model for an advertisement campaign for Crookes sun lotion, McBean made one of his characteristically surreal compositions, with her head and bare shoulders protruding out of sand alongside miniature classical columns. The photograph appeared in chemists' windows throughout the country, and has been credited with earning her the screen test that led to her star-making role in William Wyler's romantic comedy, Roman Holiday (1952). Original gelatin silver print mounted on textured paper by the artist. Image Size: 37 x 28 cm. A couple of light marks in the image, only visible very close up. Presented in a black wooden frame with UV glass.