90-Year-Old Icon Turns Camera to Roman Beauty

Photojournalist Sir Don McCullin, famed for his stark black-and-white images of conflict, is now showcasing his work on Roman sculptures. The exhibition "Don McCullin: Broken Beauty" at the Holburne Museum in Bath presents images of ancient statues captured during visits to museums worldwide. These photographs have not been previously exhibited in the UK.

At 90 years old, McCullin has indicated that this exhibition, along with one final trip to the Vatican to photograph more statues, will mark the end of his photography career. He cited his physical limitations after more than six decades in the field, stating his body has reached its limit.

McCullin's interest in Roman sculptures began in the 1970s with his travels in North Africa with writer Bruce Chatwin. Following Chatwin's death, McCullin revisited Roman sites, leading to the publication of his book "Southern Frontiers: A Journey Across The Roman Empire," which he described as stepping out of his comfort zone.

His recent work has focused on museums across the US and Europe. The Holburne exhibition juxtaposes his sculpture photographs, notable for their deep black backgrounds reflecting his "dark side" influenced by war and tragedy, with his well-known images from conflict zones like Vietnam and Northern Ireland.

Holburne director Chris Stephens praised McCullin's ability to convey empathy and humanity, even in horrific subjects. He noted the intensity of the black backgrounds in the sculpture work. Stephens also observed that McCullin's interest in the Roman Empire reflects themes of resilience and vulnerability, mirroring the state of civilizations over time.