Described as a “semi-abstract portrait,” the painting, authenticated by Bowie archivist Andy Peters, is titled “DHead XLVI” and it’s one of around 47 similar pieces Bowie created in the ‘90s.
“He was also a passionate collector and painter, heavily influenced by the modernist art trends of the twentieth century… Between 1995 and 1997 Bowie created a series of approximately 47 works on canvas which he entitled ‘Dead Heads’ .
Looking back on his decision to go public with his own artwork in 1994, Bowie said later: “I’m not sure why I made that choice, and I’m still to this day not sure if it wasn’t a mistake… Up to that point, painting for me was private, and it really was about problem solving.