David Bowie
- Artist: Stephen Finer
- Date: 1994
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 22 1/8 in. x 17 7/8 in. (562 mm x 454 mm)
- Portrays: David Bowie
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is “David Bowie” by Stephen Finer, painted in 1994. In the canvas you’ll see a portrait that looks almost like an oil painting of an old photograph, but it’s layered; each brushstroke was added over many sittings with fresh paint. You can spot the soft folds of his jacket and the slight tilt of his head, as if he were looking directly at you. Finer spent long hours in front of Bowie, re‑working the layers until the image matched how he felt when seeing him.
The subject is the singer, songwriter, performer and actor who created Ziggy Stardust; the artist painted from life – 20 sittings in total – so the picture feels personal rather than a studio portrait. The canvas measures about 22 by 18 inches, and oil on canvas gives it depth. This work was bought in 1995 and now lives in the National Portrait Gallery’s primary collection.
See it in person
David Bowie is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
