Fragile Beauties: Elton John's Photography Collection on Display at Jeu de Paume

Rocket Man, Your Song, Don't Go Breaking My Heart... Elton John is renowned worldwide for his hit songs. But did you know that the legendary artist is also a passionate art and photography enthusiast? The Jeu de Paume in Paris invites visitors to explore a curated selection of photographs from Sir Elton John's private collection, collected alongside his husband, David Furnish.

The Fragile Beauties exhibition, running from June 12 to September 27, 2026, brings together hundreds of photographs spanning from the 1950s to today. The collection amassed by John and Furnish includes over 7,000 images. These two collectors have curated a diverse selection, featuring both black-and-white and color photographs, artistic works and historical images, by renowned artists as well as lesser-known talents.

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This route offers insight into the personal tastes of Elton John and David Furnish, revealing their worldview and their perspective as collectors and art enthusiasts. Its diversity also provides a broader view of modern and contemporary photography, highlighting major events that have shaped recent years, as well as artistic and social movements...

From Black Panther activism to cinematic stills, Los Angeles fires, celebrity portraits, and artistic images—this collection spans a wide range of photographic art. The exhibition is organized into several chapters, exploring themes such as fashion, desire, photojournalism, and celebrity culture.

This exhibition also provides a platform to showcase the work of artists such as Irving Penn, Diane Arbus, Harley Weir, Herman Leonard... Nan Goldin is featured prominently as well, with an installation comprising 149 prints from her Thanksgiving series.

Whether driven by a love of photography or a desire to explore the artistic worlds of Elton John and David Furnish, don’t miss the exhibition at Le Jeu de Paume this summer in Paris.