Paul McCartney Debuts Rare Beatles-Era Photography in “Rearview Mirror” Exhibition at Gagosian
Beverly Hills, CA – April 25, 2025 — Gagosian is proud to present Rearview Mirror, an exclusive exhibition of rare and never-before-seen photographs taken by Paul McCartney during the height of Beatlemania. Opening on April 25 at Gagosian Beverly Hills, the show offers a unique opportunity to view and acquire signed photographic prints from McCartney’s personal archive—marking the first time he has released editions of his photography to the public.
Featuring 36 rediscovered images captured between December 1963 and February 1964, Rearview Mirror transports viewers back to the whirlwind early days of The Beatles’ meteoric rise. The exhibition includes intimate self-portraits, candid moments of John, George, and Ringo, and vivid glimpses of the chaos and adoration that followed the band’s every move—from London and Liverpool to Paris, New York, and Miami.
A Rare Glimpse Behind the Beatles Curtain
McCartney began taking photographs with a 35mm Pentax camera shortly before the band’s first trip to the U.S. The images capture a raw, unfiltered view of life inside the Beatles bubble, portraying everything from playful backstage moments to the awe of arriving in America—home of their rock ’n’ roll heroes. Many shots are taken from moving cars and hotel windows, emphasizing the rapid, surreal pace of the band’s early fame.
Accompanying the prints are original captions detailing the location and context of each scene, offering deeper insight into the historical and emotional resonance of the photographs.
Exhibition Design and Collaborators
The exhibition is curated by Joshua Chuang, former photography curator at the New York Public Library, and designed by acclaimed exhibition designer Stefan Beckman. McCartney collaborated with Griffin Editions, a fine art printing studio, to remaster original negatives and contact sheets, producing small edition prints framed in a custom profile of his design.
A portion of the proceeds from artwork sales will support recovery efforts following recent Southern California wildfires.
In addition to McCartney’s photographs, the show features rare Beatles ephemera and cinéma vérité-style footage by Albert and David Maysles, who documented the band’s first U.S. tour in 1964.
Part of a Larger Touring Project
Rearview Mirror coincides with Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm, a touring exhibition that debuted at the National Portrait Gallery in London and is currently on view at the de Young Museum in San Francisco through July 6, 2025.
From Music Icon to Visual Storyteller
Paul McCartney, born in Liverpool in 1942, developed an early appreciation for photography through family and newspaper images. His interest deepened during The Beatles’ early years, particularly through friendships with photographers Astrid Kirchherr and Jürgen Vollmer. His engagement with the visual arts grew further through connections to figures in the 1960s avant-garde scene, including Andy Warhol and Richard Hamilton.
McCartney’s passion for art led him to painting in the 1980s, and in 2023, he debuted his first major photography exhibition, Eyes of the Storm, in London.
All photographs courtesy of Gagosian.
