Showbiz Observations

Madonna and her image are in the news again.  Even when she isn’t trying to get in the headlines she lands there anyway.  The latest news: a 30 year-old photograph of a nude Madonna is going to be auctioned by Christie’s Auction House.

The photographer of the image was Lee Friedlander.  The photo shoot happened when Madonna was 20 years old and trying to make a living as a dancer.  In 1979, Friedlander placed an ad seeking a model who was willing to pose nude.  Madonna answered the ad and the rest is history. 

In 1985, Playboy featured the photograph.  Now a lucky bidder has the chance to purchase the photograph.  Madonna was paid $25 to pose for the modeling session.  On Februrary 12, Christie’s is expecting the image to sell for at least $10,000.

Should this image be causing all this fuss?  A nude photograph of an artist who has pushed every limit and crossed every line that she can?  Maybe that is the novelty of this photograph.  Thirty years ago, she wasn’t the Music Icon Madonna:  saying and doing anything to shock the world and stir up controversy. 

Thirty years ago, she was a starving 20 year-old kid who was willing to pose nude for $25.