Entertainment

The Art That Inspired David Bowie

His private art collection is going public for the first time.

The Art That Inspired David Bowie
Getty Images / Carl Court
SMS

More than just a rock star, David Bowie was also a painter, art critic and art magazine editor.

But he kept his private collection hidden from the public. Now, after his death, here's a glimpse at the art that inspired him.

Frank Auerbach, "Head of Gerda Boehm," 1965

"My God, yeah! I want to sound like that looks," David Bowie said of Auerbach's work in a New York Times interview.

Jean-Michel Basquiat, "Air Power," 1984

Bowie purchased this after playing the role of Andy Warhol, Basquiat's pupil, in a movie.

Damien Hirst, "Beautiful, Shattering, Slashing, Violent, Pinky, Hacking, Sphincter Painting," 1995

"My idea of a contemporary artist is Damien Hirst," Bowie said.

Sotheby's will be auctioning almost 300 of his pieces in November. They're expected to sell for roughly $13 million combined.

This story includes an image from Getty Images and images from Sotheby's.