Fragile Beauty: Elton John and David Furnish’s Photography Collection at Jeu de Paume

This summer, the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris will host “Fragile Beauty,” an exhibition showcasing the extensive photography collection of Sir Elton John and David Furnish. The exhibition, produced by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, offers a glimpse into the couple’s thirty years of collecting and their unique perspective on the art form.

A Thirty-Year Passion

Sir Elton John began collecting photography in 1991, and alongside David Furnish, he has amassed a collection of over 7,000 images. Jeu de Paume states the collection is renowned for its exceptional quality, scope, and depth, spanning the 20th and 21st centuries and including pivotal works in photographic history.

Exhibition Details

“Fragile Beauty” will feature over 300 prints by more than 90 international photographers. The exhibition explores five thematic sections: desire, celebrity, fashion, reportage, and affirmation of identity. Sortir Paris highlights the diverse selection of works, including both black-and-white and color photographs, artistic pieces, and historical images.

Featured Photographers

The exhibition will showcase work from renowned photographers such as Robert Mapplethorpe, Herb Ritts, Nan Goldin, Diane Arbus, William Klein, Ryan McGinley, Ai Weiwei, Irving Penn, and Richard Avedon. Le Bonbon notes the inclusion of works by Sunil Gupta, George Platt Lynes, and Philip-Lorca diCorcia.

Exhibition Dates and Location

“Fragile Beauty” will be on display at the Jeu de Paume from June 12 to September 27, 2026. The museum is located at 1, place de la Concorde, in the 1st arrondissement of Paris.

Elton John on Photography

As stated in Le Bonbon, Sir Elton John has remarked on the similarities between songwriting and photography, noting that both involve “a bit of luck and chance—something happens at the right time and you have to have the intelligence to press the shutter.”