"I LIKE TO BE SURROUNDED BY SPLENDID THINGS.” FM

One of the less reported and perhaps under-appreciated aspects of Freddie Mercury’s life was his great fascination for fine art prints.

Although largely hidden from public view, it was an interest that provided a notable refrain across the recent series of auctions at Sotheby’s of the late singer’s collection.

“I like to be surrounded by splendid things”, the Queen singer once said. “I want to lead the Victorian life, surrounded by exquisite clutter.”

Before achieving fame and entering the pantheon of pop music legend, Mercury had studied for a diploma in art and graphic design at Ealing Technical College and School of Art. It was an important time in his life – during this period he met drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May who were studying at separate London colleges and were part of a band called Smile that would later morph into Queen.