Madge (apparently) channels Frida and Pyotr

In a canny move, op superstar Madonna has been drip feeding images of her new album, Madame X, which is due for release 14 June. Fans of Madge worldwide are (obviously) frothing with excitement at the thought of the Material Girl’s 14th studio album and are loving the first single Medellin, a duet with the Colombian songwriter Maluma. But culture buffs have also been quick to point out the art references in the promo image thought to be the album cover itself. “Probably referencing Frida Kahlo and the controversial Russian performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky,” comments an astute art world insider on Instagram. Frida is known for her anguished self-portraits; Pyotr nailed his scrotum to Moscow’s Red Square in 2014 (and notably, he sewed his mouth shut in 2012 to protest the trial of Pussy Riot). And let's not forget also John Singer Sargent's 1884 portrait of Madame Gautreau which scandalised Paris, otherwise known as.... Madame X.