Before the world knew her name, before controversy and superstardom, there was simply Madonna — young, unknown, and fearless.

This powerful 1979 black-and-white nude portrait by Martin H. Schreiber captures Madonna in New York City at the very dawn of her career. Stripped of stage persona and spectacle, the composition is bold yet restrained — an intimate study in light, shadow, and emerging identity. The photograph reveals not scandal, but strength: the quiet confidence of a 19-year-old artist standing at the threshold of global fame.

The sculptural lighting emphasizes form and tone, while the minimalist setting draws all focus to the subject. Schreiber’s camera does not sensationalize — it documents. What we see is raw presence, vulnerability balanced with resolve — the early imprint of a woman who would soon reshape music, fashion, and culture.

This print is titled “Madonna…” in the photographer’s hand, dated 1979, and signed by Martin H. Schreiber in black ink, adding authenticity and collector distinction. The signature anchors the image historically, linking it directly to the legendary early session that later became one of the most discussed photographic series in pop culture history.

For collectors of music history, celebrity photography, and late 20th-century cultural artifacts, this is more than a nude study — it is a moment of origin. A portrait taken before the myth, when everything was still unwritten.

A rare and compelling piece from the earliest chapter of a global icon.