Don McCullin comes to Bath with a new angle on war photography
The Holburne Museum in Bath opens a timely and thought-provoking exhibition that places Sir Don McCullin’s renowned war photography alongside a surprising counterpoint: Roman sculpture. While McCullin is celebrated for stark black-and-white images from conflict zones, the show invites visitors to see how memory, material culture, and human resilience intersect across centuries. The juxtaposition is not accidental; the curators suggest that sculpture, restoration, and the human form have long carried McCullin’s interest in endurance, dignity, and the consequences of violence.
A dual focus: conflict, humanitarian crises, and classic forms
At its core, the exhibition foregrounds McCullin’s unflinching portrayal of war and its humanitarian toll. Molten with atmosphere, his images reveal crowded shelters, shattered cities, and moments of quiet courage amid upheaval. Yet the gallery design threads in Roman sculpture as a way to contextualize violence within a much longer timeline of human endeavor. The contrast invites reflection on how communities rebuild, how memory persists, and how art—whether photography or sculpture—captures the fragility and tenacity of life.
Why Roman sculpture matters in a modern war discourse
Visitors will encounter marble fragments, busts, and reliefs displayed alongside mud-streaked photographs. The curators argue that Roman sculpture offers a longue durée perspective on power, resistance, and resilience—themes that recur in McCullin’s work. Even as the photographs document modern conflicts, the sculptures remind audiences that the human form and its expressions have been central to articulating struggle for millennia. The dialogue between these media enhances our understanding of both the past and present threats to human dignity.
Holburne Museum: a setting that values material memory
Housed in Bath’s elegant Holburne, the show benefits from a setting that foregrounds material memory and provenance. The museum’s light-filled galleries provide a contemplative space for visitors to study McCullin’s textures—the grit of streets, the grain of film, the weight of history—alongside ancient stone that has survived through centuries. The exhibition is not a simple retrospective; it’s a curated experience aimed at provoking dialogue about how societies remember and move forward after conflict.
What to expect in the gallery experience
While the canonical McCullin images remain central, the installation weaves in contextual panels, personal reflections from the photographer, and case studies of postwar recovery. Expect careful curation that balances intensity with pause, allowing spectators to grapple with the ethical dimensions of documenting atrocity while recognizing the power of visual testimony. For long-time followers of McCullin, the exhibit offers a chance to re-engage with familiar scenes while discovering new angles that the Roman works illuminate.
Impact and reception: a conversation about duty and memory
Critics and visitors alike are likely to debate the ethics of war photography and the responsibilities that come with bearing witness. The Bath show is positioned as a conversation starter: it asks how photographers like McCullin frame conflict, how viewers interpret images of suffering, and how art can contribute to humanitarian awareness. The inclusion of sculpture broadens this conversation to questions of preservation, memory, and the ways cultures curate their most painful histories.
Practical details for prospective visitors
The exhibition runs at the Holburne Museum in Bath for a limited period, with timed tickets and accessibility provisions for a wide audience. The gallery space includes resources for researchers, educators, and families, making it a suitable visit for photography enthusiasts and those curious about how different art forms illuminate shared human experiences. A visit promises not only striking images but also a thoughtful exploration of how war, memory, and art intertwine across generations.
Conclusion: a fresh lens on a familiar name
Don McCullin’s work is frequently described as a testament to the endurance of the human spirit in the face of conflict. By pairing his photography with Roman sculpture, the Bath exhibition at the Holburne Museum invites a broader conversation about how cultures remember violence and rebuild identity. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, art can offer clarity, empathy, and a renewed commitment to humanity.
