War, conflict, and Roman sculptures: Bath exhibit showcases a different side of Don McCullin's work
Don McCullin, the renowned photojournalist known for his extraordinary black-and-white images documenting conflict, humanitarian crises, and the tougher side of postwar Britain, is set to unveil a new exhibition at the Holburne museum in Bath. This show, titled Don McCullin: Broken Beauty, focuses on a different subject matter: Roman sculptures.
The exhibition features previously unseen images of ancient statues, photographed during McCullin's travels to some of the world's great museums. At 90 years old, McCullin has announced that this exhibition and a final trip to the Vatican to photograph more statues will be his last endeavors in photography.
McCullin's fascination with Roman statues began during a 1970s trip to North Africa with writer Bruce Chatwin, where he was captivated by the Roman ruins. After Chatwin's death in 1989, McCullin felt a crossroads in his life, leading him to embark on a book project about Roman cities, despite initial publisher skepticism.
He visited more Roman sites in North Africa, resulting in the publication of 'Southern Frontiers: A Journey Across The Roman Empire.' McCullin's recent travels have taken him to museums in the US and Europe, often during off-hours, allowing him to study the statues in detail.
The Holburne exhibition displays McCullin's sculpture photographs alongside his renowned work on soldiers and civilians affected by conflict in Vietnam, Cyprus, and Northern Ireland. McCullin, however, prefers not to be labeled a war photographer, emphasizing his versatility as a photographer.
One distinctive feature of the sculpture photographs is the jet-black backgrounds, which McCullin attributes to his soul's dark side, influenced by his experiences with war and tragedy. The Holburne's director, Chris Stephens, praises McCullin's empathy, highlighting how he draws out the humanity in his subjects, even when the subject matter is horrific.
Stephens also notes the physical quality of the black backgrounds, describing their intensity as phenomenal. He sees McCullin's interest in the Roman Empire as a reflection of the resilience and vulnerability of ancient civilizations, reminding us that they, too, rise and fall.
After his final Vatican visit, McCullin plans to focus on his garden in Somerset, where he grew dahlias and tomatoes last year, expressing excitement for further gardening adventures.
Don McCullin: Broken Beauty will be on display from January 30 to May 4, 2026.
