A photo of Elizabeth Taylor taken by Cecil Beaton has emerged after nearly 40 years after being kept in a private collection.
But surfacing along with the image is the revelation that society photographer Beaton loathed the 'monster' that was Elizabeth Taylor, and called both the star and her husband 'vulgar, common and crass'.
Despite his utter contempt for the late actress, the famed society photographer nonetheless captured Taylor in her prime, allowing her natural beauty shining through.
'Vulgar, common and crass': Cecil Beaton loathed what he called the 'monster' that was Elizabeth Taylor, but was forced to photograph the then 39-year-old star with husband Richard Burton at a black tie event in 1971
Taylor, then aged 39, was pictured with her fifth husband Richard Burton.
She was captured wearing a couture Valentino dress with a Van Cleef and Arpels necklace entwined in her hair.
A short time later Beaton gave the photograph as a gift to friend Brian Hammond, who owned the famous Gerry's Club in London's Soho.
The framed picture hung in his club up until he died earlier this year. His family, who have inherited the image, are now selling it at auction in London where it is expected to sell for £12,000.
Sarah Wheeler, a specialist in the photographs section of Bloomsbury Auctions, said: 'The fact that Cecil Beaton produced such a beautiful portrait despite his personal dislike for them, shows what a consummate professional he was.'
'This photograph has never been sold at auction before and had been in private ownership for more than 30 years.
'It is a beautiful portrait of her.'
In Beaton's diaries that were later published, he wrote a damning opinion of Taylor and Burton following the brief photoshoot.
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