Johnny Depp unveils huge self-portrait he painted during 'dark' battle with Amber Heard
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Johnny Depp has unveiled a self-portrait he made during his ‘dark’ court battle with ex-wife Amber Heard.
Castle Fine Art debuted the actor’s piece ‘Five’, which he created during the five years of the lengthy legal battle with his former flame.
The 60-year-old began painting the work in 2021 and completed it in the studio of British illustrator Ralph Steadman earlier this year.
The piece is at a starting price of £1,950 (AUD $2,876) and will be on the market for 13 days only.
“I did this at [illustrator] Ralph Steadman’s in his studio around 2021," Depp explained in a video interview.
"This self-portrait — it was created at a time that was … let’s say a bit dark, a bit confusing. I looked at it and I don’t know why, I thought it needed something else. It needed further...information."
He added that during this time, he began counting down the years and penned the word ‘five’, to which he admitted he was entering a ‘fifth year of madness’.
"It’s not the most comfortable thing doing a self-portrait," he added.
"Although, in a weird way, almost everything you do is a self-portrait in one way or another."
The portrait is based off an image from Dior’s ‘Sauvage’ ad.
Depp apparently chose this particular image in honour of Dior to illustrate 'the loyalty they’ve always shown him'.
"To Johnny, the image symbolizes the importance of truth and the steadfast support of those who remain close to you during challenging times," the gallery explains on its website.
Previously, the Edward Scissorhands actor sold his debut art collection 'Friends & Heroes' in 2022, which made over $3.6 million (AUD $5.3 million).
The series consists of portraits depicting his close friends and people he admires, including Elizabeth Taylor, Heath Ledger, Hunter S Thompson, Keith Richards and Al Pacino.
"I've always used art to express my feelings and to reflect on those who matter most to me, like my family, friends and people I admire," Depp said in a statement.
"My paintings surround my life, but I kept them to myself and limited myself. No one should ever limit themselves."
In June 2022, Depp won a defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, with the jury finding that Heard defamed him in her 2018 Washington Post op-ed, where she said she had been physically and emotionally abused.
The actor was awarded $10 million (AUD $14.1m) in compensatory damages and $5 million (AUD $7.3m), which was later reduced to $365,000 (AUD $538 896) in punitive damages.
The former couples’ legal team came to an agreement, and Heard’s insurance company paid the actor $1 million, which finally brought the case to a close.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Castle Fine Art
Topics: News, Celebrity, Johnny Depp
