Digital Editions
Newsletters
Subscribe
Digital Editions
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Diary
blog

Despite past legal drama, Madonna still seems hung up on the V&A

The Queen of Pop’s 2003 visit sparked a lawsuit—but she was spotted there again just last month

The Art Newspaper
10 September 2025
Share
Material Girl: the US pop star Madonna likes to take in the sights in London

David Shankbone

Material Girl: the US pop star Madonna likes to take in the sights in London

David Shankbone


The pop star Madonna was clearly in need of an art and culture fix last month so decided to sample the latest shows at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. According to the gossip website Popbitch, the Queen of Pop popped into the South Kensington venue accompanied by two personal trainers and two bodyguards. “She didn’t remove her shades once,” said the report. (The V&A did not respond to a request for comment about Madge’s visit.)

The Like a Virgin singer obviously has a soft spot for the august institution; in 2003 she saw its exhibition of works by the French photographer Guy Bourdin. However, Madonna was later accused of copying Bourdin’s images in her Hollywood video. The pop star settled out of court a year later; she acknowledged no wrongdoing in her appropriation of the images of the late French photographer, reported ArtForum. We hope this most recent trip doesn’t lead to another court case...

DiaryMadonnaGuy Bourdin
Share
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Data protection
Privacy policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Instagram
Bluesky
LinkedIn
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
© The Art Newspaper

Related content

Diaryblog
16 October 2023

From Keith Haring to Gabriel Massan—Madonna celebrates art stars at London concert

The Like a Virgin singer looked to the past and future at debut gig of Celebration tour

The Art Newspaper
Art Basel in Miami Beach 2022blog
29 November 2022

Gossip from Art Basel Miami Beach: Kelis serves Milkshake, Madonna reprises Sex, and gymnast turns art on its head

Plus, bare-chested violinist wows audience at Museum of Graffiti party and an arty car takes off at El Espacio 23

The Art Newspaper
Diaryblog
13 October 2023

Frieze London diary: from a star-studded anniversary bash to Madonna's tribute to her son

Plus, artists on artists at the National Gallery, Maggi Hambling's eye-popping evocations and a sleepwalking sculpture in Regent's Park

The Art Newspaper
Diaryblog
13 February 2023

The curious case of Madonna and the missing Old Master

Mayor of Amiens in France asks pop star to loan work believed to be by Jérôme-Martin Langlois, spotted in a photograph of her home

The Art Newspaper