Black-and-white photograph of Paul McCartney taking a self-portrait in a mirror

Paul McCartney, Self-portrait, London, 1963. Inkjet print. © 1963 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm

Nearly 60 years after The Beatles performed their final concert at Candlestick Park, Beatlemania is back in the Bay. Featuring more than 250 personal photographs by Paul McCartney, along with video clips and archival materials, this exhibition offers a behind-the-scenes look at the meteoric rise of the world’s most celebrated band. The images capture the period from December 1963 through February 1964 and the band’s journey to superstardom, from local venues in Liverpool to The Ed Sullivan Show and worldwide acclaim. Photographs of screaming crowds and paparazzi show the sheer magnitude of the group’s fame and the cultural change they represented. More intimate images of the band on their days off highlight the humor and individuality of McCartney and bandmates John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rediscovered in the artist’s personal archive in 2020, these images offer new perspectives on the band, their fans, and the early 1960s, as seen through the eyes of Paul McCartney.

Exhibition preview

In the news

  • Only one camera, Paul McCartney’s Pentax, captured this pivotal moment in pop culture history from the inside out.

    Shoshi Parks, 7x7
  • The photos . . . capture sheer bewilderment — not just at being suddenly thrust onto the global limelight as a teen idol, but at America itself.

    KQED, Gabe Meline
  • You can almost hear the screams and feel the fans.

    Tim Didion and Dan Ashley, ABC7

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Audio tour

  • Use your own mobile device and headphones for the Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm audio tour.

    Black and white self portrait photograph of Paul Mccartney.

Sponsors

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm is organized by the National Portrait Gallery, London, in collaboration with Paul McCartney. It is curated by Paul McCartney with Sarah Brown for MPL Communications and Rosie Broadley for the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Presenting Sponsor

John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn

Lead Sponsor
Michael Taylor Trust
The San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums

Major Support
Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund

Significant Support
Barbara A. Wolfe

Generous Support
Peter and Angie Ackley
The Dean S. Anderson Trust
Nick and Sandra Javaras
Stephanie and Bill Mellin
Christine Suppes

Additional support is provided by Alexandria and Dwight Ashdown, Gwynn and Mitchel August, Stuart Berkowitz, Jess D. Brown, Thomas E. Horn, and Jan and Bob Newman.

Also on view