David Bowie, Lodger, Original Polaroid - London, 1979 by Brian Duffy

This revealing image is taken from a new book, ‘Outside the Lines’, which collects outtakes from album cover shoots of the late 70s and early 80s. It shows how the disturbing cover of 1979’s ‘Lodger’ album was achieved by David Bowie lying on a specially made metal support and being pressed beneath a pane of glass.

Bowie collaborated with British pop artist Derek Boshier on the cover design. The original gatefold album sleeve featured a full-length shot of Bowie by photographer Brian Duffy as an accident victim, heavily made up with an apparently broken nose.

For effect, the image was deliberately of low resolution, taken with a Polaroid SX-70 type camera. The inside of the gatefold included pictures of Che Guevara’s corpse, Mantegna’s Lamentation over the Dead Christ, and Bowie being readied for the cover photo. These images were not reproduced in the Rykodisc CD reissue in 1991.

24" X 24" image size - Edition of 15 - Archival Pigment Print - Limited Edition Hand Signed

40" X 40" image size - Edition of 8 - Archival Pigment Print - Limited Edition Hand Signed

*Duffy prints are offered as both estate stamped and limited edition hand signed. All prices on our website reflect estate stamped prints. The value of hand signed prints have significantly increased as their editions sell. To purchase a limited edition hand signed print, please inquire with us for availability and pricing. 

The signed prints are signed on the front and each print is embossed with the Duffy Archive Estate Stamp. The unsigned prints also carry the embossed Duffy Archive Estate Stamp and were issued after Duffy’s death in 2010.*

Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced without permission

Archival
Acid free backing board - UV protection plexiglass - Black wood frame

Museum
Acid free backing board - 8-ply 100% Cotton rag matboard - Museum grade non-reflective plexiglass - Black stained ash hardwood frame