Photos from Madonna’s controversial book will go under the hammer in New York in October.
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The auction, entitled ‘Madonna x Meisel – The SEX Photographs’, features erotic photographs from the 1992 SEX Photo Book, which features photographer Steven Meisel’s work with the star.
Prior to the sale, a selection of photographs will also be on sale at Christie’s in London between May 23rd and June 2nd, at Christie’s in Paris between June 27th and July 6th and on sale on October 6th from September 30th exhibited at Christie’s in New York.
More than 40 photographs from this iconic book will be sold at this auction. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Madonna’s non-profit organization, Raising Malawi.
“Thirty years after the publication of the celebrated book SEX, produced exclusively in association with Meisel, these photographs remain undeniably iconic,” said Darius Himes, vice president and international head of photography at Christie’s.
“Embodying a moment in art history at the end of the 20th century, they encapsulate a playful and foreboding moment that suggests the future of a public celebrity, carried by characters concerned about her image.” These images are simply extraordinary.”
At the time of its publication, SEX was the fastest selling beautiful book of all time. The book sparked controversy when it was published because it featured explicit photos of Madonna, now 64, with her dominatrix character, Mistress Dita. The pictures also showed the Vogue singer with rappers Big Daddy Kane and Vanilla Ice, as well as model Naomi Campbell and gay porn star Joey Stefano.
SEX was relaunched in 2022 in collaboration with legendary fashion house Saint Laurent.