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David LaChapelle (b.1963) Amercian Milla, New York, The Face (1995)signed, titled & numbered 6/30 on reverse
chromogenic print number 6 from an edition of 30
60.70 x 50.80cm (24 x 20in)
Provenance:
Sotheby’s, London, 16th May 2006 Lot 102
Private Collection
€6,000-9,000 (£4,687-7,031)
Despite being criticised for being too commercial, offensively provocative and grotesque, David LaChapelle is an essential figure in
photography, having been wildly successful working with the biggest names in the entertainment and fashion worlds, contributing
his exuberant ideas, boundless creativity and distinctive style. Constructing decadent sets, he staged his models against baroque and
delirious backdrops to produce visually-compelling images, each unique in their narrative and evocative content. He has the ability
of making his subjects push their characters yet brings across his point with stereotypes associated with their image. He has depicted
a turbaned Elizabeth Taylor looking like a $5 fortune-teller, Courtney Love as Virgin Mary, Lady Gaga wearing only screaming
headlines, a Michael Jackson impersonator as a misunderstood martyr, Angelina Jolie in various states of undress and Pamela An-
derson baring all in a room plastered with her Playboy spreads. As one of the world’s most in-demand photographers and directors
for advertising and publishing, LaChapelle’s imprint is everywhere, having set new standards for glamorous, celebrity portraiture.
He has immortalised Madonna, Elton John, Naomi Campbell, Lil’ Kim, Uma Thurman, David Beckham, Paris Hilton, Hillary Clin-
ton, MuhammadAli, Britney Spears andAlicia Keys, to name just a few. ALaChapelle photo was a badge of being hip and adventur-
ous, and all the hot young stars - from music, film or fashion - wanted him to take their photo, direct their video or shoot their movie.
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle & Forbes Lifestyle (2016)