During the Aladdin Sane album cover photo session in 1973, Duffy shot Bowie in the exact same position as the final record cover with his eyes open, revealing his permanently dilated left eye. One of his most recognisable features accidentally gifted to him by lifelong friend George Underwood in 1962 during a fight over a girl.
The Aladdin Sane Eyes Open image was discovered by the Duffy Archive over 30 years after the shoot and revealed to the world for use in the record-breaking 'David Bowie IS' V&A exhibition, becoming as iconic as the classic album cover in the process. Visited by over 2 million people, the exhibition toured around the world to Canada, Brazil, Germany, the USA, France, Australia, The Netherlands, Japan, Italy, Spain, and America.
Taken by Duffy during the second of Five Sessions with David Bowie – Aladdin Sane is the iconic and revolutionary cover of David Bowie’s album – Aladdin Sane. A shot that became the defining look of Bowie’s long career, and has been referred to as the “Mona Lisa of pop.” Since the discovery and subsequent release of Aladdin Sane Eyes Open in 2010, it has become equally as iconic, often mistaken for the original album cover.
Release Notes:
PLEASE NOTE: This is a separate series from the estate-authorized versions of the David Bowie, Aladdin Sane Eyes Open, 1973 (also available).
The Duffy Archive released this ChromaLuxe® edition on aluminum in 2018. ChromaLuxe® is a proprietary archival process that allows high-definition photographic-quality images to be printed directly onto metal. It is available in several sizes listed below.
Collector's Notes:
These photographs are printed directly onto aluminum, so the image has a distinct metallic finish. The image fills the entire area, and they do not require framing.
Each one is printed to order in the UK, your piece will be hand-numbered by the Duffy Archive and will include an estate-stamped certification on the back. Please allow 3-5 weeks for delivery.
Buyers will receive a certificate of authenticity following delivery. Please contact us with any questions!