Guy Hepner Gallery

Michel Comte Jeremy Irons with Monocle For Sale

Michel Comte
Michel Comte - Jeremy Irons with Monocle, 1990, Silver Gelatin Print

Jeremy Irons with Monocle, 1990

Silver Gelatin Print

36 x 30 Inches (91 x 76 cm), Edition of 7 26.7 x 22 Inches (67 x 56 cm), Edition of 20

About this work

This striking portrait captures the distinguished British actor Jeremy Irons in an image of refined elegance and theatrical sophistication. Photographed through Comte's masterful lens, Irons poses with a monocle, creating an aesthetic that bridges classical portraiture with contemporary celebrity photography. The silver gelatin print showcases rich tonal gradations and exceptional detail, revealing Comte's technical excellence with traditional darkroom processes. The composition emphasizes Irons's penetrating gaze and aristocratic bearing, qualities that defined his screen presence during this pivotal period of his career. Created in 1990, this photograph represents Comte's celebrated ability to transcend conventional celebrity portraiture by capturing the essence of his subjects with both intimacy and grandeur. The work reflects the photographer's background in fashion and fine art, resulting in an image that functions as both cultural document and collectible artwork. Offered in two edition sizes, this piece appeals to collectors of contemporary photography, cinematic iconography, and portraits of cultural luminaries from the late twentieth century. Available for purchase — enquire for price and availability.

Guide Price: $12,052 – $36,677

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About the Fashion Icons Series

Explore Michel Comte's Fashion Icons series, a celebrated collection capturing the golden era of 1990s celebrity and haute couture photography. Comte, born in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1954, initially trained in art restoration — working with contemporary pieces by artists including Andy Warhol and Yves Klein — before entering photography in the late 1970s after Karl Lagerfeld gave him his first major commission. That launch propelled Comte into a decades-long career shooting for Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Interview, establishing him as one of the defining fashion photographers of his generation.

This body of work features iconic portraits of supermodels and A-list personalities including Nadja Auermann, Eva Herzigová, Sharon Stone, Isabella Rossellini, and Brooke Shields, many commissioned by Vogue Italia, Vogue Germany, and L'Uomo Vogue. Comte's masterful approach combines technical precision with intimate portraiture, establishing him as a defining voice in luxury fashion photography. Each work reflects the aesthetic standards and cultural moment of the period, from elegant studio compositions to conceptual editorial pieces for Dolce & Gabbana and French Vogue.

Beyond fashion, Comte has worked as a filmmaker and fine artist, and in recent years has focused on "Light," an art project addressing environmental decline through large-scale installations, paintings, sculpture, and multimedia works — a continuation of the same restless creative range visible even in these earlier fashion portraits.

These photographs remain highly sought-after by collectors, representing a pivotal moment in fashion history when celebrity and high fashion intersected with artistic vision. The series showcases the photographer's distinctive style and his lasting influence on contemporary portraiture.

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Jeremy Irons with Monocle

About Michel Comte

Michel Comte's work commands a robust presence in the international auction market, affirming his status as a master of contemporary photography. His limited edition prints, particularly from his influential fashion and portraiture archives, are regularly featured in sales at Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips.

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