Michael Jackson photo at André Rau’s exhibition in Munich

From July 18 to October 18, 2025, the Leica Gallery Munich on Maffeistraße 4 transforms into a luminous celebration of André Rau’s four decades of portrait and fashion photography. The exhibition, titled The Famous, offers a rare opportunity to explore the depth of Rau’s artistic vision, and among the many treasures on display, visitors will find a glamorous and powerful portrait of Michael Jackson.

This exhibition is not just a stroll through glossy magazine imagery; it is a deep dive into icons, emotions, and stories. Rau has immortalised some of the world’s most recognisable figures, including Isabelle Adjani, Catherine Deneuve, Diane Kruger, Roman Polanski, Grace Jones, Claudia Schiffer, and of course Michael Jackson. Across the walls of the Leica Gallery, about forty signature works are presented, each carefully chosen for their aesthetic depth and emotional resonance. What sets Rau apart is his ability to transcend the surface. His portraits are never just about a face or a pose. They reveal moments of vulnerability, irony, and humanity, captured and staged with elegance and sophistication. The Munich exhibition opens with an evening event on July 17, 2025, at 19:00, where Rau himself attended. Until October 18, visitors can enjoy his work in the heart of the city. The Leica Gallery welcomes guests from Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 19:00, and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00. Entry is free, making it an accessible cultural experience for all who wish to explore the nuances of fame through Rau’s lens.

André Rau was born in Stuttgart in 1957. His love affair with photography began with his grandfather’s Leica camera, a tool that set him on a lifelong path. By the 1980s, he had moved to Paris, where he worked as an assistant to the legendary Peter Lindbergh. By the age of 22, Rau was already shooting for Vogue Italia. From there, his career took flight, spanning international assignments, advertising campaigns, and exhibitions across Europe and beyond.

Among the many highlights of his career is his work with Michael Jackson. Rau managed to capture the King of Pop in a rare light, presenting him not only as the global superstar known to millions but also as a man of poise and charisma beyond the stage. The portrait included in The Famous exhibition is a testament to Rau’s ability to portray icons in a way that feels both timeless and intimate. In Rau’s hands, Michael Jackson is not just photographed—he is immortalised, his presence transformed into an emblem of an era and a reminder of his enduring influence.