Steven Meisel, Madonna and Daniel de la Falaise, New York, (1992).
Photo: Courtesy of the artist and Christie's
Madonna’s Boundary-Breaking “Sex” Photographs by Steven Meisel Hit the Block at Christie’s
More than 30 years after the book’s initial release in 1991, the cultural impact of SEX is undeniable.
When it first debuted 30 years ago this month, the book SEX rocked the world. It featured over 100 erotic photographs of Madonna shot by Steven Meisel, packaged in a metal covered spiral-bound book and wrapped in silver mylar. Priced at what now seems like a reasonable $50, it was packaged with a CD single of the song “Erotic.” SEX spent three weeks on the New York Times best seller list and sold 1.5 million copies worldwide. To this day, it remains the best and fastest selling coffee table book of all time, despite being banned in several countries.
Steven Meisel, Madonna and Daniel de la Falaise, New York, (1992). Photo: Courtesy of the artist and Christie's
Steven Meisel, Madonna, New York, (1992). Photo: Courtesy of the artist and Christie's
On Friday, October 6 Christie’s will auction original prints of photographs taken for the book, in a live sale taking place in New York City after exhibitions in London and Paris. “Madonna x Meisel – The SEX Photographs” features 42 substantial works (framed size about 64” x 52”), each signed by both Meisel and Madonna, with estimates ranging from $50,000 – $350,000. “Neither of them have wanted to do anything with the work until now. The prints have never been printed or released to the public,” noted Darius Himes, Christie’s Deputy Chairman, International Head of Photographs. “And these are editions of one. So it’s like a painting. If you like that picture, this is it.”
A smaller edit of the prints actually made their debut last year at Art Basel in Miami, albeit not for sale. They were shown in an exhibition in conjunction with a very limited (800 copies) re-edition of SEX commissioned by Saint Laurent and published by Callaway. The conversation with Christie’s started shortly thereafter; the auction house had successful single owner auctions of Richard Avedon and Peter Beard, and set new world records for Helmut Newton and Man Ray. “I like to think it was a natural fit,” opined Himes.
Steven Meisel, Madonna, New York, (1992). Photo: Courtesy of the artist and Christie's
Galerie walked through the exhibition with Himes two days before the auction. A soundtrack of Madonna’s greatest hits played throughout the gallery. Each archival pigment print featured the then 34 year-old pop star, sometimes alone, sometimes with others including Isabella Rossellini, Daniel de la Falaise (nephew of YSL muse Loulou), model Tony Ward (who she dated for a time), Vanilla Ice (ditto) and rapper Big Daddy Kane. It was a bit too early to confirm early speculation on specific works, but Himes did admit that a few pieces had advance interest, namely lot #42 featuring a completely nude Madonna hitch hiking in Miami.
Steven Meisel, Madonna, Miami, (1992). Photo: Courtesy of the artist and Christie's
Steven Meisel, Madonna, Miami, (1992). Photo: Courtesy of the artist and Christie's
Tash Perrin, Deputy Chairman of the Americas for the auction house will serve as the auctioneer (she also presided over the Andre Leon Talley auction earlier this year). When asked about an appearance from the Material Girl herself, Himes, with a gleam in his eye, responded “I know she’s getting ready for her London tour…but I cannot confirm or deny.”
Cover: Steven Meisel, Madonna and Daniel de la Falaise, New York, (1992).
Photo: Courtesy of the artist and Christie's
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