British auction house CHRISTIE’S announced a collaboration with French fashion house SAINT LAURENT to celebrate the re-issue of SEX – 1992 photography book by Madonna and Steven Meisel. Christie’s will present Madonna x Meisel – The Sex Photographs – an auction of over 40 works, as editions of one, in a live sale taking place in New York on October 6, 2023. Ahead of the auction a selection of photographs will be shown in London (from May 23 to June 2) and in Paris (from June 27 to July 6). Back in 1992, Madonna’s controversial book became a cultural sensation, it features iconic images by the legendary fashion photographer Steven Meisel, and text written by pop superstar, where she introduced her persona, Dita. In 2022, Madonna teamed up with Saint Laurent’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello to mark the 30th anniversary with a first time ever re-edition of the book, with 800 limited edition copies and a first-time gallery exhibition at Miami’s Art Basel.
The much-deserved hype and white-hot energy given off by Madonna in the early 1990s was conveyed and immortalized through Steven Meisel’s photographs. He knew how to capture the allure and sexuality of pop’s reigning queen in a way that was unrivalled. In the intervening 30 years since her infamous SEX book was released – shot exclusively in collaboration with Meisel – what has become clear is how truly iconic those photographs remain. They sit at a moment in art history of the late 20th century that both summarizes a moment, playful and prescient, and hints at the future of public stardom driven by image- conscious figures. These images are nothing short of brilliant. – Darius Himes, Christie’s Deputy Chairman, International Head of Photographs
A portion of Christie’s sale proceeds will benefit Raising Malawi, a charity non-profit organization that helps orphans and vulnerable children with critical resources including education, medical care, food, shelter, and psychosocial support.
