Object Details
Artist
Tyler Mitchell, born 12 Apr 1995
Sitter
Beyoncé Knowles, born 4 Sep 1981
Exhibition Label
Born Houston, Texas
A multi-hyphenate, music industry dynamo with a vast, international fanbase, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has been called “the most important and compelling popular musician of the twenty-first century.” Her visual albums, high-energy live performances, and critically acclaimed singles, from “Run the World (Girls)” (2011) to “I’m That Girl” (2022), empower women and people of color.
The year 2018 was a standout for Beyoncé. In April, she became the first Black woman to headline the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with her memorable “Homecoming” performance. When she graced the cover of Vogue’s September issue, her portraitist, Tyler Mitchell, became the first Black photographer to create a cover image in the magazine’s then 126-year history. As part of that commission, Mitchell made this photograph of Beyoncé. Posing with a classical column, she appears as a goddess or muse, a nod to her immense impact on popular culture. “Queen Bey’s” golden headdress also references her otherworldly single “Halo” (2008).
Nacida en Houston, Texas
Dínamo multifacético de la industria musical con una enorme base mundial de admiradores, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter ha sido descrita como “la artista más importante y cautivadora de la música popular en el siglo XXI”. Sus álbumes visuales, sus conciertos cargados de energía y sus aclamados sencillos como “Run the World (Girls)” (2011), “Formation” (2016) y “I’m That Girl” (2022) empoderan a las mujeres y personas de color.
El 2018 fue especial para Beyoncé. En abril se convirtió en la primera mujer negra que encabezó el Festival de Música y Arte de Coachella Valley con su memorable show “Homecoming”. En septiembre fue retratada para la portada de Vogue por Tyler Mitchell, quien así pasó a ser el primer fotógrafo negro que ha creado una portada para la revista en sus 126 años de historia. Como parte de ese encargo, Mitchell tomó esta foto. Posando junto a una columna clásica, Beyoncé parece una diosa o musa griega (alusión a su inmenso impacto en la cultura popular). El tocado dorado de “Queen Bey” también alude a su mística canción “Halo” (2008).
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquired through the generosity of Randi Charno Levine
Date
2018 (printed 2019)
Object number
NPG.2020.101
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Photograph
Medium
Inkjet print
Dimensions
Image: 101.4 × 84 cm (39 15/16 × 33 1/16")
Sheet: 106 × 88.5 cm (41 3/4 × 34 13/16")
Frame: 108.4 × 91 × 4 cm (42 11/16 × 35 13/16 × 1 9/16")
Place
United Kingdom\England
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Costume\Headgear\Headdress
Nature & Environment\Plant\Flower\Flowers
Home Furnishings\Curtain
Architecture\Pedestal
Personal Attribute\Tattoo
Beyoncé Knowles: Female
Beyoncé Knowles: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Actor
Beyoncé Knowles: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Entrepreneur
Beyoncé Knowles: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Music\Musician\Singer
Beyoncé Knowles: Social Welfare and Reform\Philanthropist
Beyoncé Knowles: Performing arts awards\Grammy
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.2020.101