The Facts
Aguttes will auction Michael Jackson's portrait "The Book" by Australian artist Brett-Livingstone Strong on November 26, 2026, in Paris. Painted in December 1989, it is believed to be the only painted portrait for which Jackson personally posed. The work was unveiled in Beverly Hills on January 26, 1990, and reportedly sold for $2.1 million at that time, attracting international media attention as the most expensive portrait of a living celebrity. The painting depicts Jackson seated in a three-quarter pose, dressed in red, with his hands resting on a closed notebook—the book of the title—which held his ideas, drawings, and song lyrics. The artist included a self-portrait in the background, showing himself working before the model. The work is part of Aguttes' Pop Culture & Memorabilia sale, with public viewing on November 24 and 25, 2026.
The Signal
The portrait represents a rare intersection of pop iconography and formal portraiture, offering collectors a tangible link to Jackson's creative process and personal mythology. The inclusion of the artist's self-portrait and the singer's notebook adds layers of biographical and artistic significance beyond typical celebrity memorabilia. For the market, this sale tests demand for high-end pop culture artifacts with documented provenance and direct artist-subject collaboration, potentially setting a benchmark for Jackson-related artworks. The work's long private ownership and its re-emergence after the singer's death in 2009 may further amplify interest among both Jackson devotees and collectors of contemporary portraiture.
- Artists: Brett-Livingstone Strong, Michael Jackson
- People: Arthur Perault
- Auction Houses: Aguttes
- Locations: Paris, Beverly Hills
- Prices: $2.1 million
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