DHead XLVI, 1997

Private Collection, Ontario

David Robert Jones, known more commonly as David Bowie, was an icon of the music industry. Like many musicians, Bowie studied art and design as a young man, which would foster a love of fine art throughout his lifetime. He was also a passionate collector and painter, heavily influenced by the modernist art trends of the twentieth century; his paintings possess the stylistic influences of the German expressionists, Francis Bacon and the London School of painters. Between 1995 and 1997 Bowie created a series of works which he entitled Dead Heads (or D Head). Each title included a Roman numeral. The sitters ranged from band members, friends and acquaintances and there were also some self-portraits. It has been suggested that, for some of these important paintings, Bowie drew inspiration from the Ziggy Stardust era. With long hair and a pronounced profile, this energetic and enigmatic portrait is truly a rare representation from a celebrated artist. We would like to thank Andy Peters at davidbowieautograph.com for his assistance in confirming the authenticity of this lot.