George Hoyningen-Huene's Queer Portrait of Cecil Beaton as Elinor Glyn at Paris Photo

At Paris Photo 2021, Vienna's Galerie Johannes Faber presented a vintage silver gelatin print by George Hoyningen-Huene titled 'Cecil Beaton as Elinor Glyn' (1930). The photograph captures British Vogue photographer Cecil Beaton cross-dressing as writer and filmmaker Elinor Glyn, known for pioneering erotic literature and the 'It girl' concept. Taken shortly after Hoyningen-Huene became head of photography at Vogue Paris, the image was made at a party organized by Elsa Maxwell, a notorious American gossip who allegedly introduced Maria Callas to Aristotle Onassis. The portrait embodies the camp and queer sensibilities of the interwar period, reflecting a moment when foundational theories of gender and sexuality were being explored. The print, measuring 25.2 x 20.2 cm, was featured in artpress magazine's 'panier' column, fictively purchased by critic Marc Donnadieu. Paris Photo took place at the Grand Palais éphémère from November 11-14, 2021.