MICHEL COMTE (Zurich, Switzerland, 1954). "Carla Bruni." Photographic print. The photograph of Carla Bruni was auctioned at Christie's in 2008 causing great excitement and selling for a much higher price than expected. Measurements: 26 x 19 cm; 46 x 40 cm (frame). The image was taken by photographer Michel Comte in 1993, when Bruni was a much sought-after model. The office of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Carla Bruni's husband, declined to comment on it. A photographer specializing in portraits of female stars and supermodels, in 1978 Michel Comte began working for international fashion designers. In 1981 he moved to New York, where he began working for Vogue and Vanity Fair. Penelope Cruz, Demi Moore or Carla Bruni are some of the stars immortalized, although he has also dedicated himself to other subjects such as landscape or human rights issues. In a few years, he became one of the most sought-after fashion photographers. His work has been exhibited in important museums such as the Guggenheim in Venice, and the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich.