Now that there is no essence, we ask: how is it to see through you? What sort of filter are you?
Now that there is no common subject, no us, we say: what is this sum of subject and object?
Now that the body is not enough, and that it stops us as ridiculously as ever, we say: what is so common about this object? What is it about it that is so transparent, and what does this absence, this oppressive absence, taste like when accepted?

The paintings are by Johan Schaefer, the photos – Khristian Mendoza.

The nude Madonna and Guy Ritchie painting by Peter Howson ended up selling this week. It failed to sell at a recent contemporary Scottish art auction by McTear’s Auctioneers in Glasgow but has since been sold for more than the £15,000 reserve price.

McTear’s employee Brian Clements told the BBC “We were very confident we would find the right buyer for ‘Madonna and Guy’ and we are delighted to have secured such an excellent price for the painting. Although we cannot divulge the name of the buyer, we can confirm that the painting will be leaving Scotland.”

The 2005 nude portrait of Madonna and her ex husband Guy Ritchie is one from a series of the famous singer by Peter Howson. It’s not what I would call a flattering naked portrait of Madonna. She looks like a transvestite with funny fingers if you ask me.

Also in the UK, in Brighton, England the Impure Gallery (which calls itself “a naughty little gallery“) is showing some nude photographs of the young Madonna from 1979. New York Photographer, Martin Schreiber got Madonna to pose naked for just $30. I’m guessing that he would have to add at least a few zeros to that price to get the now super-famous Madonna to get naked.

Madonna Nude by Martin Schreiber

Madonna Naked by Martin Schreiber