A unique self-portrait created by David Bowie in 1996, featuring his handprints, is set to be auctioned off at Sotheby’s Modern British and Irish Art Day Auction on October 15. The artwork, estimated to fetch between £35,000 to £55,000, was originally given by Bowie to his St Ives gallerist and has been held in a private collection for three decades before being displayed publicly in London ahead of the auction.
This self-portrait is part of a series of eight large-scale portraits produced by Bowie in the mid-1990s, with this particular piece considered the most expressive of the collection. Sotheby’s senior specialist Jen Hardie described the artwork as capturing Bowie at his most creative and self-reflective, offering a personal connection to the artist through his direct gaze and handprints on the composition. The painting, bold and richly 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 portrait, Bowie’s distinctive features, including his unevenly sized pupils and the handprints on the lower part of the painting, add an intimate and personal touch. This rare opportunity to own a piece of Bowie’s artistic legacy provides art enthusiasts with a chance to acquire a hands-on piece of history.
