A set of recently unearthed photos taken by Paul McCartney recently made an exclusive debut at the de Young in San Francisco. The exhibition includes over 250 personal photos taken by the famous musician while the band toured in the United States and England.
Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm showcases a brief slice in time for the band, From December 1963 to February 1964, while The Beatles had skyrocketed in success and “Beatlemania” was in full swing.
In Eyes of the Storm, recently unearthed photographs by Paul McCartney provide a rare time capsule of The Beatles’ world at the moment of their extraordinary rise to fame…” said Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco in a press release. “Well known as one of the world’s most famous musical stars, it is a revelation to discover McCartney’s proficiency as a photographer, documenting everything from the band’s quieter moments and friendships to the ‘Beatlemania’ of the time.
The photographs feature McCartney both behind and in front of the camera. Along with the photographs, video clips, and other archival materials will continue to build a view into the musician’s lives over the three months. The photos were only rediscovered in recent years, having remained as unprinted negatives for decades. The exhibition is organized by the National Portrait Gallery and is currently on view at the Brooklyn Museum. The incredible photos give viewers an intimate look at the band’s lives during the height of their whirlwind tour. McCartney took the photos without the intent to showcase them, and while his artistic eye shines through, what makes the collection so incredible is the personal lens the images reveal.
Eyes of the Storm opened on March 1, 2025, and will run through July 6, 2024, at the de Young. You can reserve tickets for the de Young and the exhibition in advance online.