ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Elton John and David Furnish's Photography Collection at Jeu de Paume

exhibition · 2026-04-26

The Jeu de Paume in Paris presents "Fragile Beauté," an exhibition of over 300 photographs from the collection of Sir Elton John and David Furnish, running from June 12 to September 27. Curated by Duncan Forbes, the show spans from 1950 to the present, featuring works by Nan Goldin, Helmut Newton, Robert Mapplethorpe, and others. It includes 10% previously unseen acquisitions, such as recent works by Duane Michals, Peter Hujar, and Wolfgang Tillmans. The collection, known for its exceptional print quality, covers fashion, celebrity portraits, queer photography, and photojournalism, addressing themes of vulnerability and creativity. Forbes notes that the exhibition reflects the collectors' passion, with sections on desire and social justice, including images related to the civil rights movement, AIDS activism, and contemporary issues like the Los Angeles wildfires and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Key facts

  • Exhibition titled 'Fragile Beauté' at Jeu de Paume, Paris, from June 12 to September 27.
  • Over 300 photographs from the collection of Sir Elton John and David Furnish.
  • Curated by Duncan Forbes, previously shown at Tate Modern in 2016 as 'The Radical Eye'.
  • Covers photography from 1950 to present, with 10% new acquisitions.
  • Includes works by Nan Goldin, Helmut Newton, Robert Mapplethorpe, Duane Michals, Peter Hujar, Wolfgang Tillmans.
  • Collection features fashion, celebrity portraits, queer photography, and photojournalism.
  • Key works: Nan Goldin's 'Thanksgiving' series, Robert Mapplethorpe's prints, Philip-Lorca diCorcia's 'Hustlers'.
  • Photographs address social issues: civil rights, AIDS, 9/11, ICE arrests, Ukraine and Gaza wars.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Locations

  • Paris
  • France
  • Atlanta
  • United States
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • New York
  • Boston
  • Los Angeles
  • Nevada
  • Sacramento
  • Santa Cruz
  • Brighton
  • England
  • Ukraine
  • Gaza
  • Cahors
  • Windsor
  • Pinner
  • Middlesex
  • Manhattan
  • Santa Monica Boulevard
  • Hollywood
  • Illinois
  • Fire Island Pines
  • New York City
  • USA
  • Massachusetts
  • Oakland
  • California
  • South Kensington

Sources