Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by Brian Duffy. It dates from 2018 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work is presented in a glazed black wooden frame with an accompanying certificate of authenticity.
This 2018 framed print reproduces the design created by Brian Duffy for a Royal Mail commemorative stamp marking the anniversary of David Bowie’s *Aladdin Sane* album. The central image is a three‑quarter portrait of Bowie, his face rendered against a white field and highlighted by the iconic red‑and‑blue lightning bolt makeup. The work is presented in a glazed black wooden frame with an accompanying certificate of authenticity.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures Bowie in the flamboyant persona introduced on *Aladdin Sane*, using the lightning bolt as a visual shorthand for the album’s themes of duality and electric intensity. The stark white background isolates the figure, emphasizing the theatrical makeup and the contrast between the red and blue hues, which suggest both danger and allure.
Technique & Style
Duffy’s original design combines crisp graphic lines with a glossy, almost metallic rendering of the suit, creating a sleek, modern aesthetic. The print reproduces this contrast of smooth, reflective surfaces against the bold, angular shapes of the lightning bolt, while the surrounding frame incorporates both color and monochrome stamp reproductions to add textural variety.
History & Provenance
Issued in 2018, the print was produced to accompany a limited‑edition Royal Mail stamp series celebrating the *Aladdin Sane* cover. The cardboard frame integrates ten cut‑out stamps—five reproductions of the original album artwork and five alternate black‑and‑white versions—along with a slot labeled “Aladdin Sane.” The piece is documented by a printed certificate affixed to its rear.
Context
The work sits at the intersection of popular music iconography and postal commemorative art, reflecting the broader cultural practice of honoring musical milestones through collectible stamps. By translating Duffy’s stamp design into a gallery‑ready format, the piece underscores the enduring visual impact of Bowie’s 1973 persona within both music history and design discourse.
Artist & collection
Artist
Duffy was a London photographer who spent the '60s snapping the city’s sharpest faces—models, musicians, and misfits—before trading his camera for boat-building in the '80s.
