Even The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You

The eye makeup is also kinda Regan Cameron-ish.

Another of Steven Klein's new images of Madonna to plug Hard Candy—this nearly unidentifiable portrait runs as a full page in the upcoming Interview with Madonna on the cover. Interesting shot—the scarf and the exaggerated eye makeup kind of remind me of Bert Stern's Marilyn series (the one Lindsay knocked off...or bumped off?...recently), except if shot an hour after Monroe died. Not saying this critically, just as an observation, but there is often a sepulchral quality to Klein's work with Madonna. I know he can do a fleshier, sexier vibe, too—recall Justin Timberlake's rough-trade Arena+Homme lay-out, pictured here—but he tends to reserve an arrestingly embalmed feel for Madonna.

Here's another shot from Dazed & Confused, too, the shoot that will forever be known as the "antennae" session:

After the jump, six classic Madonna images that remind me a lot of the new Interview image that appears at the top of this post...

Comments

[david]

well, seeing those 6 iconic images of Madonna (especially the last 3, and the SORRY cover) makes you realize how little Klein contributes when compared to Ritts and Meisel!

And wasn't the SORRY cover a fan photo!?

[Matthew Rettenmund]

Yes! And a pretty darn good fan photo, I'd say. Even unretouched that pic is cool.

[Ben]

Let's realize though that the Internet levels Madonna's capacity to build her mystique via magazine layouts and photosets. Those Ritts and Meisel images wouldn't have the iconic power they had then and have now if they were created in the 24/7/365 environment of the Internet and new media entertainment.

[Trub]

are you saying that the first photo is Madonna? With the material in her mouth? If it is, where is the gap in her teeth?

[Matthew Rettenmund]

Sure, that's her in Interview. With all that PhotoShopping, the gap is the least of what's missing, dear! :0)