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- calendar_today October 9, 2026
David Bowie’s 1996 Self Portrait Up for Auction
A rare david bowie self portrait, signed and featuring the late artist’s handprints, is heading to auction for the first time. The distinctive work, created by Bowie in 1996, will be a highlight at Sotheby’s Modern British and Irish Art Day Auction, taking place on October 15.
Bowie’s Handprints and Direct Gaze Offer Unique Appeal
The bowie painting stands out not only for its vivid colors and composition but also for the intimate touch of Bowie’s own handprints pressed onto the artwork’s lower third. In the portrait, Bowie’s direct gaze is enhanced by his famously uneven pupils, a physical feature that lent his eyes their striking appearance. This 1996 self portrait is viewed by experts as one of the most expressive pieces in a series of eight large-scale works Bowie produced in the mid-1990s.
Estimated Value and Provenance
The artwork is expected to sell for between £35,000 and £55,000, which is approximately $66,000 to $104,000 CAD. Originally gifted by Bowie to his St Ives gallerist, the bowie artwork spent about three decades in a private collection before emerging in public view. It is now on display in London ahead of the auction, giving art and music aficionados a rare chance to see the piece before it enters a new collection.
Sotheby’s on the Rarity and Significance of the Piece
Jen Hardie, Sotheby’s senior specialist, described the work in a press release as a moment of Bowie at his most self-reflective and creative. "His direct gaze and handprints pressed onto the composition create an unusually personal connection to the artist," Hardie wrote, noting the bold colors and painterly strength the musician demonstrated in his 1990s output. The sale at Sotheby’s modern british art auction offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of Bowie’s visual art legacy, rather than his more widely known musical or cultural contributions.
Part of Bowie’s 1990s Artistic Output
This rare bowie painting is part of a collection of eight large-scale portraits Bowie made during the mid-1990s, a period recognized for the artist’s self-exploration and experimentation across different mediums. The current self portrait is considered the most expressive of the group, marked by personal elements such as the inclusion of Bowie’s handprints and his intense, confronting gaze.
A Chance to Own a Piece of Starman History
Collectors and fans interested in bowie art sale or in owning a literally hands-on piece of Bowie history will not want to miss the auction on October 15. For those unable to participate, images of the striking 1996 self portrait are available for public viewing in London prior to the sale, providing a rare glimpse into a more personal side of Bowie as an artist.
Source: cbc.ca.
