Upon its release in 1992, Madonna’s book, Sex, became a controversial, cultural sensation around the globe, due to its erotic content and liberated views of sexual self-expression.
Envisioned by one of the most influential musicians of all time, ‘SEX’ contained iconic imagery by Steven Meisel as well as written text by Madonna where she introduced her persona, Dita. The book remains the best and fastest selling coffee table book of all time. In 2022, Madonna and Saint Laurent’s Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello marked the 30th anniversary with a first time ever re-edition of the notorious book with 800 limited edition copies and a first-time gallery exhibition at Miami’s Art Basel.
Madonna walking nude along a Miami street. Courtesy Christie's
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
Image : Madonna, New York 1 (992) by Steven Meisel Courtesy Christie's
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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