Nicolai Haugsted
Photographer Alexandre de Basseville lists nude Melania Trump photo for 32,000 dollars.
Photographer Alexandre de Basseville has officially put an original black-and-white print from 1995 up for sale on his personal website, asking a cool $32,000.
Shot originally for the French publication Max, the picture features former First Lady Melania Trump—then a 25-year-old international model working under her maiden name, Melania Knauss—nude alongside model Emma Eriksson on a bed.
Media attention has repeatedly returned to the shoot since it first surfaced during Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential run.
Basseville expressed admiration for the future First Lady’s presence behind the lens during past discussions regarding the project.
“She was not like a typical model that I was seeing every day at that time,” the photographer told WWD, adding: “She was not like a typical or regular woman, who you could meet, in the way she talks, the way she acts, the way she lives. She has been preparing for something. There was something in her that was different.”
Defending the Human Form as Art
Modeling portfolios built by Melania Trump include high-profile collaborations with fashion legends like Patrick Demarchelier, Helmut Newton, Arthur Elgort, and Mario Testino.
Public debate regarding the 1995 session prompted a direct response from Melania Trump in September 2024 during the promotional campaign for her memoir.
Addressing critics via a video message shared on X, she pushed back firmly against political commentary surrounding her early portfolio work.
“Why do I stand proudly behind my nude modeling work? The more pressing question is: Why has the media chosen to scrutinize my celebration of the human form in a fashion photo shoot?” she stated during the broadcast. “Are we no longer able to appreciate the beauty of the human body? Throughout history, master artists have revered the human shape, evoking profound emotions and admiration. We should honor our bodies and embrace the timeless tradition of using art as a powerful means of self-expression.”
Art collectors continue to monitor online offerings featuring high-fashion memorabilia connected to political figures.
Exclusivity, historical context, and global name recognition remain primary drivers behind high-end photo valuations. Demand for rare archival prints from famous fashion houses shows no signs of cooling off among prospective buyers.
