Fragile Beauty

Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection

The iconic and the undiscovered

Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish share a curation of photographs from their private collection with the V&A, in what is the museum’s largest ever photographic exhibition. Over 300 rare prints come from the cameras of 140 renowned photographers, capturing everything from fashion and celebrity to activism and reportage.

A gallery of greats

Avid collectors for 30 years, John and Furnish have amassed an extraordinary 7,000 images. Many of these are now on display for the first time with the V&A, offering a unique glimpse into the personal tastes of the collectors, and era-defining moments from the 1950s to the present day.

Works here explore the tension between strength and vulnerability in a fascinating exploration of the human condition – and the art of contemporary photography itself. There are early acquisitions, including the iconic fashion shots of Horst P. Horst, alongside newer additions from Tyler Mitchell and An-My Lê. And of course, works by some of the medium’s most iconic names: Diane Arbus, Juergen Teller, William Egglestone and more.

History in the making

Running throughout, landmark moments, flashes of resistance and tragic tales draw gallery-goers through the lens into some of history’s key moments. There are images from the Civil Rights movement, as well as those charting AIDS activism in the 1980s. Meanwhile, celebrity portraits include Aretha Franklin, Elizabeth Taylor and The Beatles. A dizzying array of desire, politics and the fleeting beauty found in the everyday, this exhibition is set to be as iconic as its collector.