Light and Magic is the first major exhibition to explore pictorialism as a global movement. Discover how artists became pioneers of the darkroom, transforming our understanding of photography and image making.
Bringing together over 200 rare prints by over 80 artists from Seoul to Sydney, New York to Cape Town and Brazil to Singapore, this truly international exhibition takes a fresh and inclusive look at the history of photography.
Featuring never-before seen works from around the world alongside pieces from Tate’s Collection, Light and Magic highlights the vast and varied artistic possibilities of photography as a medium.
Light and Magic is presented in the Eyal Ofer Galleries.
Long Chin-San, Riverside Spring, 1942, The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A, acquired with the generous assistance of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Art Fund © Courtesy the Estate of the Artist
Lionel Wendt, Untitled, c.1933-1938, Tate, Purchased with funds provided by the South Asia Acquisitions Committee 2013
Luo Bonian, Drawing Water from a Well, 1932, Tate, Purchased with funds provided by the Photography Acquisitions Committee 2026
Seasonal dining and Light and Magic
©Jade Nina Sarkhel
Enjoy lunch or dinner after the exhibition
Experience the exhibition then enjoy two courses from our set menu, which focuses on bold, seasonal British dishes with a commitment to sustainable sourcing and simple, thoughtful cooking.
Choose a time slot that includes lunch, dinner or a cocktail when booking your exhibition ticket. The time slot you book will be when you enter the exhibition.
Exhibition with lunch or dinner
- £59 for exhibition entry followed by two courses from our seasonal set menu
Choose the 10.45, 11.15, 12.45 or 13.15 time slot to book your exhibition visit with lunch. For dinner, the time slots are on Fridays and Saturdays only at 17.15, 17.45, 18.15 and 18.45*.
The time slot is when you will go into the exhibition, your table in the Restaurant will be reserved for 1 hour and 15 minutes later. Don't worry if you take longer than this enjoying the exhibition, your table will be kept until you arrive. Please note if you are booking the later time slots that the last seating time is 14.45.
There are vegan and vegetarian dishes available. We can also accommodate other dietary requirements - just let our team know on the day.
Light and Magic is on Level 3 of the Natalie Bell Building and the Restaurant is a few floors above, on Level 6.
*This offer runs until 3 January 2027. It is not available on 23, 24, 30 and 31 October and 28 November 2026.
All Tate Modern entrances are step-free. You can enter via the Turbine Hall and into the Natalie Bell Building on Holland Street, or into the Blavatnik Building on Sumner street. There are lifts to every floor of the Blavatnik and Natalie Bell buildings. Alternatively you can take the stairs.
- Fully accessible toilets are located on every floor on the concourses
- A quiet room is available to use in the Natalie Bell Building on Level 4
- Ear defenders can be borrowed from the Ticket desks
To help plan your visit to Tate Modern, have a look at our visual story. It includes photographs and information about what you can expect from a visit to the gallery.Download Tate Modern mapFor more information before your visit:
- Email hello@tate.org.uk
- Call +44 (0)20 7887 8888 (daily 10.00–17.00)
