Johnny Depp sells portraits of Heath Ledger and River Phoenix for thousands of dollars

Johnny Depp is selling copies of four self-made portraits. He has already done it in 2022, with the launch of the ‘Friends and Heroes’ collection and this year he has launched its continuation, with new inspirational objects. This time I am four deceased celebrities who either inspired you or were friends with you, or both: this is the case of Heath Ledger, River Phoenix, singer Bob Marley and writer and journalist Hunter S. Thompson.

“My paintings surround my life, but I’ve kept them to myself and limited myself. No one should limit themselves”quotes the actor on the Castle Art Gallery website, which has promoted works by celebrities from all walks of life, from Bob Dylan to footballer Pele. The actor reportedly decided to buy and sell his art to coincide with his most controversial and public year yet: The trial of his ex-wife Amber Heard for defamation after she publicly accused him of verbally and physically abusing her.

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The actor creates the portraits using a mixed technique of printing, screen printing and marker based on photographic references. According to the gallery itself, the collection is “a unique insight into the world of Hollywood from one of its biggest stars”. Moreover, I had anticipated that the collection would be sold in a few hours and, in fact, all 780 copies are already sold out. On the site you can see that they were on sale for £3,750 excluding tax (about €4,200), although their starting price according to Variety was $5,400 (€5,000), marking a price increase of more than £400 compared to to the first collection, which currently has an online price of around 3,300 pounds (3,700 euros).

Tribute to those who are not

Johnny Depp qualifies as “tragic” the early deaths of Phoenix and Ledger, at the ages of 23 and 28, respectively, which “no doubt in the time they had they planted their individuality, their uniqueness, their world, their heart, their emotions and their sense of humor in the world so that we know them”He says. “They said a lot in their short life”. On the other hand, the journalist Hunter S. Thompson, who died at the age of 67, would have one thing in common with the other three artists: “His voice will always live through his books, as Heath and River will always live through their films and Bob through his music”.