The ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition at the Jeu de Paume: Elton John and David Furnish’s collection

Currently on view at Jeu de Paume in Paris through September 27th, 2026, Fragile Beauty brings together more than 300 exceptional photographs from the renowned private collection of Elton John and David Furnish. Produced by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the Paris presentation offers a rare glimpse into one of the world’s most important photography archives, tracing the evolution of modern and contemporary image-making.

A must-visit exhibition in Paris for photography lovers

Celebrating over three decades of collecting, Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection reflects the couple’s passion for photography and their remarkable ability to recognize powerful visual narratives. Since Elton John began collecting in 1991, the archive has grown to more than 7,000 works spanning the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Divided into five themes—desire, celebrity, fashion, reportage, and identity—the exhibition explores photography as both an artistic language and a record of social, political, and cultural shifts. Hosted by Jeu de Paume, one of France’s leading institutions for photography and moving image, the show charts the changing role of the photographic medium across generations.

A photography collection that defines modern visual culture

Featuring works by more than 90 internationally celebrated photographers, the exhibition offers a rich panorama of photographic practices from the 1950s to today. Highlights include the refined portraits of Richard Avedon and Irving Penn, the sculptural compositions of Robert Mapplethorpe, the glamorous imagery of Herb Ritts, and the intimate documentary work of Nan Goldin.

The selection also features the striking portraits of Diane Arbus, the energetic street scenes of William Klein, the contemporary vision of Ryan McGinley, and conceptual works by Ai Weiwei. Photographs by Eve Arnold, Susan Meiselas, Harley Weir, Herman Leonard, and others further enrich the collection’s broad artistic scope.

Among the exhibition’s highlights are portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Doris Day, and Chet Baker, alongside documentary images capturing pivotal moments such as the Civil Rights Movement, LGBTQ+ activism, the AIDS crisis, and political protest. Recent works, including Ethan Swope’s photographs of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, show photography’s continuing role as a witness to contemporary history.

More than a collection—a celebration of photography

Beyond the fame of its collectors, Fragile Beauty reveals the lasting emotional force of photography itself. The exhibition highlights the medium’s ability to preserve moments of vulnerability, intimacy, resilience, and identity while reflecting the stories that define our time.