London's V&A: Linda McCartney's Rock 'n' Roll Photography

Emily Pack – 13 August 2021

Recently, we've had the pleasure of visiting London's Victoria and Albert Museum to view an exclusive collection of original photographs shot by Linda McCartney, the late wife of Sir Paul McCartney who donated the images in her memory in October 2018. The museum's photography centre is now currently the home of some iconic portraits of artists, whose style has influenced many of our designs at PHIX, including Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and the Rolling Stones. Sixty three pieces total were donated, including of course pictures of the Beatles and family polaroids of Paul, Linda and their children, some completely unseen by the public until now.

The photographs trace Linda McCartney’s career from the 1960s-1990s. The collection includes portraits of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix, as well as intimate personal portraits. #vamPhotography pic.twitter.com/7154RkzNk1
— V&A (@V_and_A) May 3, 2018

The photographs trace Linda McCartney’s career from the 1960s through to the1990s. Born Linda Eastman in New York City, she studied Fine Art at the University of Arizona and then took up photography. Following the success of some shots she took of the Rolling Stones at a record promotion party in 1966, McCartney began to establish herself as a successful music photographer, joining bands on tour across the USA and becoming the first woman to shoot a Rolling Stone cover in 1968, of Eric Clapton.

Linda McCartney photographed many musical icons of the 60s such as Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix & Bob Dylan, becoming the first woman to have a photograph featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine 📷

Discover more: https://t.co/XFjXYak9J6 pic.twitter.com/gmsdpUaBZ0
— V&A (@V_and_A) May 16, 2021

McCartney was known for capturing intimate and unguarded moments of celebrities including Twiggy, and she also took more abstract, creative photos of objects and animals, including pf poodles in regents park and artsy Cyanotype photographs.

Wrecked Car. Portugal, 1969 #ThrowbackThursday #TBT
One of 63 prints by Linda McCartney, donated by Paul and family to the @V_and_A museum: https://t.co/9MWMoV60AA pic.twitter.com/1HE16stUUG
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) May 3, 2018

If you are unable to view the collection in person, TASCHEN released a photobook in 2019 of some of the shots titled 'Linda McCartney: The Polaroid Diaries', which may be purchased online. You can also view some of the exhibit, as well as many other collections, for free on the V&A's website.

Paul, family and friends at the 'Linda McCartney. #ThePolaroidDiaries' launch last night at the @V_and_A 📸 pic.twitter.com/3sd1XZQMBc
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) September 19, 2019

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