Beauty is as beauty makes - two portraits of Oliver Messel

Photographed by Baron George Hoyningen-Huene, 1929.

In costume for the role of Paris, photographed by Cecil Beaton, 1932.

Just in case you don't know... Oliver Hilary Sambourne Messel (13 January 1904, London – 13 July 1978, Barbados) was an English artist and one of the foremost stage designers of the 20th century. Besides his celebrated work in the theater - both sets and costumes - he also designed for film and ballet, retail settings, hotels, and completed private architectural and interior design commissions.

Tomfoolery - Exhibit B

St. Petersburg, photograph by Karl Bulla,1905.

Courtesy Stephen Rutledge.

Courtesy Ralf De Jonge.

Courtesy Stephen Rutledge.

German soldiers, WWII.

Courtesy Stephen Rutledge.

"P.C. Harry Daley with one of his boyfriends."

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Some of the images here originated at the excellent site Homo History.