Sir Cecil Beaton, a renowned photographer, costume designer, interior designer, and diarist, is celebrated for his iconic portraits and extensive work in ballet, theatre, and film. His portfolio includes striking images of royalty and celebrities, as well as his contributions as a war photographer and assignments for Vogue magazine. Beaton’s most notable achievement may be his Oscar-winning costume and set designs for the 1964 film My Fair Lady, featuring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. Notably, he had previously designed the costumes for the Broadway version of the play, in which Julie Andrews portrayed Eliza Doolittle. Beaton’s artistic vision combined elements of fantasy and elegance, reflected in a myriad of historical references. Currently, an exhibition at the Garden Museum in London pays tribute to one of Beaton’s foremost passions: gardening.

In 1979, Beaton expressed his immense passion for gardening, stating, “My garden is the greatest joy of my life, after my friends. Both are worth living for.” During his life, Beaton cultivated two significant gardens at his country properties in Wiltshire—Ashcombe House (1930-1945) and Reddish House (1947-1980). This exhibition not only highlights these gardens but also explores the vital role that floral elements played in Beaton’s artistic journey. This includes photographic portraits, such as one featuring the future Queen Elizabeth II adorned in a Hartnell crinoline, surrounded by an array of fresh blooms, and a 1937 whimsical jacket designed for a fête champêtre at Ashcombe, embellished with surrealist embroidered tendrils and appliquéd roses.

Luke Edward Hall, a prominent artist and designer involved in the exhibition’s layout, remarked on Beaton’s multifaceted creativity: “I’m an enormous fan of so much of Beaton’s output—his photography, but also his drawings, stage and costume designs, interiors, and his writing… what I admire most is his approach to life and his dedication to beauty.” The exhibition, entitled Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party, runs from May 14 to September 21 at the Garden Museum.

From an early age, Beaton displayed a knack for floral arrangements, which he showcased in his college room at Cambridge and at the wedding of his sister, Nancy Beaton. In his Ashcombe studio, inspired by interior designer Syrie Maugham, he primarily used white flowers to craft a surreal, ethereal ambiance that deeply influenced his photography. Beaton even established a garden dedicated to cultivating these flowers. His fascination with blooms extended into his stage and costume designs; for instance, he embraced floral themes in the ballet Apparitions and drew from nature for the iconic Ascot scene in My Fair Lady, reflecting Eliza Doolittle’s flower-selling background. The exhibition features original illustrations for the ballets Les Sirènes and Apparitions, as well as a headdress worn by famed ballerina Margot Fonteyn in Apparitions.

Hall believes Beaton’s diverse talents continue to resonate in today’s artistic landscape. “Perhaps two or three decades ago, the notion of an artist engaging in various fields would have faced skepticism, but now it’s almost a standard expectation.” Drawing inspiration from Beaton’s visionary aesthetic, Hall stated, “Cecil Beaton endeavored to infuse his life with extraordinary vibrancy and sheer wonder, which I find quite remarkable.” The exhibition will be available at the Garden Museum in London from May 14 to September 21, 2025.