The Jeu de Paume gallery unveils the vast private collection of photographs assembled by Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish. Through this exhibition, the couple opens its personal archives to present numerous photographs organized into several specific themes, offering a panorama ranging from pop culture icons to contemporary tragedies.
From iconic portraits to intimate works
The exhibition begins with a series devoted to fashion photography. It then moves on to a second section dedicated to love, focusing primarily on actors and singers. Here, visitors will find black-and-white portraits of musicians such as the members of the Beatles, Elvis Presley surrounded by admirers, and the duo of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat posing with boxing gloves.
A third section, recognizable by its fuchsia walls and titled “Desire,” focuses on the aesthetics of the male body. This path leads directly to the heart of the retrospective, titled “Fragile Beauty,” which gives its name to the entire event. This particularly intimate segment features a centerpiece covered with numerous sexually explicit photographs. A warning sign precedes this specific area.
Photojournalism and Collective Memory
The tour concludes in a final large room that breaks with the intimacy of the previous ones. This space is entirely devoted to photojournalism. The rows of frames showcase images capturing historic moments of great intensity. Among the works on display are an image of a man’s vertiginous fall during the September 11 attacks, the famous raised fists of athletes on the Olympic podium, as well as scenes of riots and clashes with law enforcement involving the American flag.
The exhibition runs from June 12 to September 27, 2026. Tickets start at 7.50 euros, and admission is free for visitors under 18.
