Touring is not unusual for Paul McCartney, who has traversed the globe nearly non-stop for six decades. Yet, this time, his photographer’s eye is center stage, with the imagined tour t-shirt swapping one-night stands for months-long engagements. Launched last year at the National Portrait Gallery in London and having traveled to the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia, ‘Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64, Eyes of the Storm’ now graces the Brooklyn Museum before heading to Portland in the autumn. Happily, McCartney attended this week’s opening, where the program of over 250 photographs impressed with its quality craftsmanship and unpretentious candidness—hallmarks of the artist’s approach.

The multi-gallery exhibition on the 5th floor provides a chaptered overview of more than 250 photographs, many unseen by the public, taken between November 1963 and February 1964. These images offer a unique insider’s view of Beatlemania, capturing intimate and candid moments as The Beatles rose from UK sensations to global superstars. McCartney’s collection confidently showcases his talents with peerless high-quality prints that capture the essence and communicate the dynamics during those frenetic months. Rather than hurried or slapdash shots, the works reveal the sensitivity of the shooter, his respectful empathy for the subjects, and what can be described as the innocence of the time.

It’s easy to forget that these photographs document a significant period in 20th-century music and culture, a time so transformative that it seems improbable any band could again evoke the excitement and intensity of The Beatles’ early fame. Now viewed as a foundational moment for future popular culture and musical entertainment developments, these frank and sometimes humorous shots provide a crucial historical record.

McCartney’s detailed curation and collaboration with galleries worldwide emphasize his singular vision and appreciation for the rich culture fostered by collaboration. For Beatles fans and photography enthusiasts alike, this exhibition offers a delightful glimpse into history through the lens of one of its most iconic figures.

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm

May 3–August 18, 2024

Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Gallery, 5th Floor

Click HERE for more information about the exhibit.