ROBERT WHITAKER
Robert Whitaker was a renowned British photographer, best known internationally for his many photographs of The Beatles, taken between 1964 and 1966. He began his photographic career in London in the late 50s but moved to Melbourne in 1961, where he began studying at the University of Melbourne and became part of the small but flourishing Melbourne arts scene. According to art historian David Mellor, it was Whitaker's three years in Australia that transformed his work as a photographer.
He first came into contact with the Beatles in 1964, when they toured Australia. Whitaker was asked to photograph the band's manager, Brian Epstein, for a feature in Melbourne's Jewish News. "I saw Epstein was a bit of a peacock and a cavalier," said Whitaker, "and I put peacock feathers around his head in photographic relief. He was knocked out when he saw the picture."
In 2011 Robert sadly passed away after a long battle with cancer. All prints in this collection are embossed with the official Robert Whitaker estate stamp, with his official archive being managed and distributed by his family.
STAFF PICKS
The Beatles having fun at Cliveden House whilst taking a break from filming the 1965 comedy, Help. Taken by Robert Whitaker.
May 10, 1965,The Beatles continued filming Help!
“They (The Beatles) were very good with having someone constantly there with a camera. They never made me feel I was in the way.” – Robert Whitaker
This was the first of a two-day shoot at Cliveden House in Maidenhead, Berkshire, a sumptuous stately home dating from the 19th century.
Cliveden House provided several interior shots in Help!, mainly for the scenes situated inside Buckingham Palace. A number of scenes were filmed on this and the following day. They include one in which The Beatles played cards, which was filmed in the French Dining Room in the south-western corner of the house.
Other scenes included The Beatles leaning out of a window to see the effects of poison gas, and the intermission, which was filmed in Bluebell Woods in the grounds of Cliveden.
Scroll down for further information.
Museum quality print of The Beatles, taken on stage in Tokyo, Japan, by photographer Robert Whitaker.
The Beatles ascend the steps to the stage at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan for a matinee concert on 2nd July, 1966
The Beatles Guitars, backstage in Tokyo Japan in 1966 by Robert Whitaker.
Robert Whitaker Print Information
All limited edition prints in this collection are hand numbered and authenticated with the official Robert Whitaker Estate Stamp. Available in two limited edition sizes, framed or unframed. C-type prints on Fujifilm crystal archive paper.
16”x20”
20”x24”
NOTE: Measurements quoted are paper size, with the printed image being slightly smaller to create a natural border to house the photographer’s signature and edition number