A unique David Bowie self-portrait, featuring his handprints, will soon be available for auction, potentially bringing changes to art collections. Created by the singer in 1996, this artwork will be part of Sotheby’s Modern British and Irish Art Day Auction on Oct. 15, with an estimated selling price ranging from £35,000 to £55,000 (approximately $66,000 to $104,000 Cdn). Originally gifted by Bowie to his St Ives gallerist, the painting has been in a private collection for three decades before being unveiled to the public in London ahead of the auction.
The self-portrait is one of eight large-scale portraits produced by Bowie in the mid-1990s, notable for its expressive nature. According to Sotheby’s senior specialist Jen Hardie, this piece captures Bowie at a creative and introspective moment, establishing a personal connection through his direct gaze and handprints embedded in the composition. The artwork, bold and vividly colored, showcases Bowie’s artistic prowess in the 1990s, presenting him not just as a music legend but as a talented artist in his own right.
In the painting, Bowie’s striking gaze accentuates his famously asymmetrical pupils, while his handprints on the lower portion of the artwork add a unique and intimate touch. This rare opportunity to acquire a piece of Bowie’s artistic legacy offers collectors a chance to own a piece of Starman history.