Don McCullin's 'Broken Beauty' Exhibition Showcases Roman Sculpture Photography

The Holburne Museum in Bath is hosting 'Don McCullin: Broken Beauty,' an exhibition running from January 30 to May 4, 2026, showcasing the esteemed photographer's recent series of Roman sculpture photographs.

Sir Don McCullin, celebrated for his powerful black-and-white images depicting conflict and humanitarian crises, has turned his lens to ancient Roman statues, capturing their enduring presence. These photographs, taken in museums worldwide, are being displayed in the UK for the first time.

McCullin's interest in Roman sculptures began during a 1970s trip to North Africa with writer Bruce Chatwin, where he was captivated by Roman ruins. This fascination led to his book 'Southern Frontiers: A Journey Across The Roman Empire.' Reflecting on his career, McCullin stated, "I’m too old to work now. After 60-odd years, I’m slightly tired of it all, really. I’m going to do this one last visit to the Vatican. And then I’m going to basically give up photography because I’m just simply physically too old. Your body, in a way, has the final say."

The exhibition juxtaposes McCullin's sculpture photographs with his renowned war and conflict images, including scenes from Vietnam, Cyprus, and Northern Ireland. Holburne Museum Director Chris Stephens remarked, "Around them, we’ve got a constellation of his work representing his key projects. One of the things we want to emphasise is that however horrific the subject matter, he’s got this amazing empathy, and draws out the humanity of the people he’s photographing."

'Broken Beauty' offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore a contemplative aspect of McCullin's work, highlighting his versatility and depth as a photographer.