Jennifer Aniston Auctions off Nude Portrait for Charity

I knew she was going to be a big star.

Award-winning American photographer Mark Seliger first met Jennifer Aniston when he was assigned to photograph the cast of Friends a little after the sitcom first went to air.

“The first time I met Jennifer Aniston I knew she was going to be a big star,” Seliger said to Christie’s. It was uncanny — you thought you knew her, or at least wished you knew her. Immediately after the shoot I recommended Jennifer for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, which of course she got. Since then we’ve worked together many times — she’s incredibly loyal and still as lovely as the first time I met her.”

Mark Seliger, ‘Jennifer Aniston, Los Angeles, CA, 1995’, part of the RADArt4Aid charity auction at Christie’s. Photo: Christie’s

In November 1995, shortly after he photographed the cast of Friends, Seliger took a now-iconic black-and-white nude portrait of Jennifer Aniston. “It’s actually a classic beauty portrait, reminiscent of old Harper’s Bazaar covers from the 1960s and 70s,” said Seliger.

The portrait, which Jennifer Aniston recently posted about on Instagram, forms one of 26 going under the hammer in a charity auction, RADArt4Aid, at Christie’s on 12 June.

Selinger, known for iconic portraits of politicians, musicians and actors, is contributing these limited-edition prints form his own archives, with the goal of raising as much money as possible for charity during these unprecedented times.

Selinger partnered with Red Carpet Advocacy (RAD) and Christie's as part of the RADArt4Aid campaign to hold the virtual auction, with 100% of proceeds from the sale of each print going to the charity of the famous subject's choice. Christie’s President, Americas Jennifer Zatorski, says “Mark Seliger and RAD have together created a unique and broadly-appealing fundraising opportunity that we are delighted to introduce…”

Mark Seliger, ‘President Barack Obama, Washington, DC, 2010’, part of the RADArt4Aid charity auction at Christie’s. Photo: Christie’s

Other portraits in the sale include those of Barack Obama, Keith Richards, Dr. Dre and Snoopdog, Kurt Cobain, Reese Witherspoon, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, to name a few.

“Art and creativity as a source of love, introspection, and joy have persevered through every tragedy we’ve faced together,” said Seliger, “and I trust they will continue to inspire us as we work through this pandemic.”

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