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![A book spread. The left page features a colour photograph of a man sitting at a breakfast table; the right page has black text on a light yellow background.](https://www.vam.ac.uk/dw/image/v2/BDFC_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-VAM_MasterShop/default/dwdd5be8e8/pdp-images/products/168123-fragile-beauty-exhibition-book-spread1.png?sw=91&sh=91)
![A book spread. On the left is a white page with black text; the right page shows the photograph of a black boy. A beetle is resting on his nose.](https://www.vam.ac.uk/dw/image/v2/BDFC_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-VAM_MasterShop/default/dwce8e70c8/pdp-images/products/168123-fragile-beauty-exhibition-book-spread2.png?sw=91&sh=91)
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Fragile Beauty exhibition book - hardback
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Over the past 30 years, Sir Elton John and David Furnish have carefully built an unrivalled collection of photography. Remarkable in its range and depth, it's a who's who of photographer and subject ranging across disciplines from fashion and film to landscape and reportage.
This book presents 150 of the most important photographs from artists including Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, Nan Goldin, David LaChapelle, Robert Mapplethorpe, Zanele Muholi, Helmut Newton, Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei.
Featuring an afterword from Sam Taylor-Johnson and an in-depth interview with Sir Elton John and David Furnish by Russell Tovey and Robert Diament, as well as curatorial insights into themes within the collection - Fragile Beauty shares images that are beautiful, dynamic, striking, sometimes disturbing but always inspiring.
Available at a special price directly via V&A shops (RRP £40).
"It’s a head-spinning, gorgeous survey of a still-evolving art form" – Michael Glitz, Parade, 'The 46 Best Books of 2024… So Far', 13th July 2024
"An opulent, beautifully-presented book." – Chloë Edwards, Buzz Mag, 15 May 2024
"Page after page introduced some of the most recognizable photographs in history…made all the more impactful by the editing and sequencing…" – Kalum Carter, Digital Camera World, 15 May 2024
"Basically a history of photography from the 1950s to the present day" – Featured in 'The best new books, from bees and Bond to art and Elton John', The Times, Saturday 11 May 2024
Please note: this exhibition book contains adult themes, including depictions of substance use, death, nudity and sexual intercourse.
Author/Artist/Designer
Duncan Forbes, Newell Harbin, Lydia CastonPages
256
Dimensions
28.7 x 24.7cm
ISBN
9781838510466
Product code
168123
Delivery
Our standard delivery charges and estimated timescales are as follows. Selected product exceptions apply; see product details. International deliveries may also be subject to customs fees or taxes upon arrival, which are your responsibility.
Custom prints
Each print is made to order and dispatched separately to other V&A Shop products, for UK delivery only. The charges and estimated timescales below are in addition to our standard delivery charge when bought together with a V&A Shop product. However, delivery is free for all orders over £60.
Returns
We hope you are happy with your V&A Shop purchase. However, if you are not, most items are eligible for a full refund if returned within 28 days of receipt.
Refunds are offered for items in an unused, unopened condition, and with original packaging – with exceptions as below. This does not affect your statutory rights.
The following items are excluded from our returns policy and cannot be refunded unless faulty, damaged, or not as described:
- Custom prints and other items made to your specification or personalised;
- Items that have been sealed for hygiene reasons, where the seal has been broken, such as beauty products, soap, pierced earrings, hosiery, socks, sunglasses and face coverings;
- Perishable or edible items such as flowers or food;
- Memberships, tickets for exhibitions, bookings for events and courses.
For full details, visit our Delivery & Returns page.
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Fragile Beauty
An unparalleled selection of the world's leading photographers, telling the story of modern and contemporary photography. Discover iconic images across subjects such as fashion, celebrity, reportage and the male body.
Shop the full Fragile Beauty range here >