
Beauty and the Beast
16 works

Sofia Coppola, Save Safe Sex Campaign, 1993
Digital c print
26 x 26 inches / 66 x 66 cm- Edition of 20 36 x 36 inches / 91 x 91 cm - Edition of 7 47 x 47 inches / 120 x 120 cm- Edition of 3 69 x 60 inches / 175 x 175 cm - Edition of 1 - SOLD OUT
This striking digital c-print captures Sofia Coppola in an intimate portrait created for the Save Safe Sex Campaign in 1993. Comte's lens reveals both vulnerability and strength in his subject, employing his characteristic approach to photography that balances documentary authenticity with fashion-editorial sophistication. The square format creates a focused, contemplative composition, while the digital c-print process delivers rich tonal depth and archival quality that has remained pristine over three decades. This work represents a fascinating intersection of celebrity portraiture, social activism, and 1990s visual culture. Captured at a pivotal moment before Coppola's emergence as an acclaimed filmmaker, the photograph documents her involvement in HIV/AIDS awareness efforts during a critical period of advocacy. Comte's reputation as one of the era's most innovative fashion and portrait photographers adds significant artistic weight, while the tiered edition structure offers collectors various scales at which to acquire this historically important image. Available for purchase — enquire for price and availability.
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Michel Comte
Angela Basset, Vogue Italia
1993

Michel Comte
Brittany Murphy for Vouge
2001

Michel Comte
Brooke Shields, Dolce & Gabbana
1995

Michel Comte
Carla Bruni, Vogue Italia
1996

Michel Comte
Cindy Crawford Fence
1992

Michel Comte
Cindy Crawford Paparazzi
1996

Michel Comte
Daryl Hannah
1996

Michel Comte
David Bryne, GQ (blue)
1991

Michel Comte
David Bryne, GQ (yellow)
1991

Michel Comte
Demi Moore, Vogue Italia
1993

Michel Comte
Giorgio Armani, W Magazine
1992

Michel Comte
Isabella Rosselini, Vogue Germany
1990

Michel Comte
Jean-Paul Gaultier, W Magazine
1992

Michel Comte
Jeremy Irons with Monocle
1990

Michel Comte
Louise Bourgeois Private sitting
1996

Michel Comte
Macaulay Culkin, L'Uomo Vogue
1998

Michel Comte
Mimi Rogers

Michel Comte
Nadja Auermann & Eva Herzigova, Vogue Italia
1996

Michel Comte
Nicole Kidman, Private Sitting
1994

Michel Comte
Sharon Stone Wire Fence
1996

Michel Comte
Sonia Braga
1991

Michel Comte
Supermodels (French Vogue)
1994

Michel Comte
Veruschka
1990

Michel Comte
Yves, Saint Laurent, W Magazine
1992
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.

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.