Messel Collection

Tatler cover, Countess of Rosse
The Countess of Rosse, formerly Anne Messel, sister of designer Oliver Messel. She was married to Ronald Armstrong-Jones in 1925, with whom she had a daughter and a son

Oliver Messel (1904 - 1978), English designer of film sets, costume and interiors. Pictured with his portrait of the Countess of Seafield. Date: 1928

Bystander cover - Mrs Ronald Armstrong-Jones
Mrs Ronald Armstrong-Jones, formerly Anne Messel (later Parsons). She was married to Ronald Armstrong-Jones, with whom she had a daughter and a son, before she married Michael Parsons

WW2 - Home Front - children from the Buckingham Gate Central School, evacuated to Handcross, West Sussex, lay out herbs in Drying shed (a converted boiler house) at Nyman s, Handcross

A Pearl of Beauty by Cecil Beaton in The Sketch, 1930
Mrs. Ronald Armstrong-Jones, photographed by Cecil Beaton in a costume designed by her brother, Oliver Messel. Anne Messel (later Parsons) was previously married to Ronald Armstrong-Jones

Oliver Messel, Mme Lelong and Serge Lifar at Venice Lido
Theatre designer and interior decorator Oliver Messel, Mme Lucien Lelong (Princess Natalie Paley) and the Ballets Russes star

The Countess of Rosse and her Daughter
Anne Messel, the Countess of Rosse and her eldest daughter from her first marriage are shown in this photography. Anne Messel (later Parsons) was previously married to Ronald Armstrong-Jones

Fossil Horse
A fossil horse from Messel, Germany

At a Bright Young Party
Cartoon showing some young personalities of the time at a party: Rosemary Hope-Vere, Oliver Messel, Philip Kindersley, Lord Donegall, Sir Anthony Weldon, Lady Seafield, Hon

Cecil Beatons tea party in a tram
Cecil Beaton hosted a tea party in a tram which stood in his garden at Ashcombe, his Wiltshire home. Round the table are Princesse Jean de Faucigny-Lucinge, Mr Cecil Beaton, Mr Charles James

Oliver Messel, 1940
Costume designer Oliver Messel alongside a model at his studio in Yeomans Row. The model pictured is wearing the costume of Jocasta in The Infernal Machine

Fossil bat specimen C016 / 5980
Fossil bat (Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon). Fossil skeleton of an extinct bat from the Middle Eocene, found in Lutetian oil shale from Messel, near Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany

Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon
Fossil skeleton from the Middle Eocene, Lutetian, Oil Shale from Messel near Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany. From the collection of the Natural History Museum, London. Fossil bat

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"Messel: A Captivating Journey Through Time and Artistic Brilliance" Step into the enchanting world of Messel, where creativity knows no bounds. From gracing the prestigious Tatler cover to capturing the essence of elegance as seen on the Countess of Rosse, Oliver Messel's artistic prowess is unparalleled. Intriguingly, Messel's talent extended beyond mere portraiture; he effortlessly transformed spaces into works of art. The Bystander cover featuring Mrs Ronald Armstrong-Jones at a Bright Young Party showcases his ability to capture both glamour and vivacity in a single frame. Amidst the chaos of World War II, Messel played an integral role on the Home Front by immortalizing children from Buckingham Gate Central School who were evacuated to Handcross. His photographs serve as poignant reminders of resilience and hope during challenging times. Messel's collaboration with renowned photographer Cecil Beaton resulted in breathtaking masterpieces such as "A Pearl of Beauty" featured in The Sketch magazine in 1930. Their joint efforts continued to captivate audiences, evident through their tea party held within a tram - an extraordinary fusion of elegance and whimsy. Venturing beyond photography, Messel's creative genius shone brightly even amidst diverse settings. At Venice Lido, he shared moments with Mme Lelong and Serge Lifar that exuded gracefulness against a backdrop reminiscent of ethereal beauty. The Countess of Rosse and her daughter became muses for Messel’s lens – their regal allure captured flawlessly through his discerning eye. Each photograph tells a story that transcends time; it is impossible not to be mesmerized by their timeless charm. Not limited solely to human subjects, Oliver it also explored nature's wonders through his lens. The Fossil Horse stands tall as testament to his ability to find beauty even within ancient relics - breathing life into forgotten tales etched upon its weathered surface.