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Mick Jagger on the set of Performance, October 1968
©The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s -
Mick Jagger and Anita Pallenberg on the set of Performance, October 1968
©The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s -
Cecil Beaton, Mick Jagger and Anita Pallenberg on the set of Performance, October 1968
©The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s -
Mick Jagger and Anita Pallenberg on the set of Performance, October 1968
©The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s -
James Fox on the set of Performance, October 1968
©The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s
Overview
Sotheby’s S|2 is proud to present Performance by Cecil Beaton – an exhibition of photographs taken on the set of the iconic 1970 British film, directed by Nicholas Roeg, produced by Sandy Lieberson and starring James Fox, Anita Pallenberg and Mick Jagger in his acting debut. At the time considered highly controversial, Performance explored themes of sexuality and identity against the backdrop of organised crime, and depicted the use of drugs and violence at a level not typically seen in a major studio production. Roeg and Lieberson’s ground-breaking portrait of 1960s London still retains its ability to shock nearly 50 years later.
Performance was the quintessential London film; unapologetically breaking rules to present a snapshot of bohemian life, alongside the underworld of gangsters and rock stars that gave the city a reputation for decadence and debauchery. Prior to his commission on the set of Performance, Beaton had been on assignment to photograph the Queen – showing his diversity and relevance at the forefront of popular culture and the ease with which he inserted himself in to each context. His documentation of society figures, musicians, actors and royalty demonstrated his innate ability to always remain current and perfectly capture the essence of a time.
All the photographs in the exhibition are from Sotheby’s Cecil Beaton Studio Archive, a celebratory record of the 20th century’s great and famous.
Prices start from £3,000 depending on size and edition number. For specific price enquiries please contact the gallery at +44 (0)20 7293 6700.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Contact:
Charles Libeert, Sales Associate
+44 (0)20 7293 5329
Sonia Lievaart, Gallery Assistant
+44 (0)20 7293 5502
Location:
31 St. George Street, London W1S 2FJ
About S|2:
S|2 is Sotheby’s Contemporary art gallery, offering year-round exhibition programming and bespoke private sales.
With dedicated gallery space in New York, London and Hong Kong, S|2 presents selling exhibitions exploring the work of celebrated artists, such as BANKSY, Joseph Beuys, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Yayoi Kusama, and Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, as well as shows curated by influential art world figures like Vito Schnabel.
In addition to gallery programming, the S|2 team facilitates private acquisitions and sales around the world. Learn more at WWW.SOTHEBYS.COM/S2.
