25 November – 23 December 2016
“Like the Mona Lisa he knows everything, has seen everything”
Sotheby’s S|2 gallery in London will unveil a treasure trove of captivating photographs taken by acclaimed photographer and Oscar-winning designer Cecil Beaton taken on the set of Performance, the 1970 British crime drama film. Now considered to be a cult classic, the film seamlessly moves from fantasy to reality, capturing an uncompromising frantic energy akin to a psychedelic whirlpool. The explicit sex scenes, brutal violence and frequent drug-taking were a breakthrough for British cinema, and these elements resulted in Warner Brothers shelving the film for two years before a heavily re-edited version was finally released. The exhibition is Sotheby’s first dedicated sale of Beaton’s photographs and will present fifteen images on offer as limited edition modern platinum prints produced from the original negatives. Open to the public from 25 November until 23 December.
Sotheby’s Press Office