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Acclaimed Canadian photographer Andrew Miller has revealed an exclusive auction for the first professional portrait of Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, which will be tokenized as an NFT. This distinctive auction aligns with the 10th anniversary of the Ethereum concept, a widely acknowledged open-source, decentralized blockchain recognized for its smart contract capabilities.
The auction is set to commence on July 1st and will continue until July 30th on Manifold.xyz, offering collectors a unique chance to obtain a piece of Ethereum’s early narrative. The initial bid for the portrait is established at 333 ETH.
In a conversation with CryptoSlate, Miller shared the background of the photograph. He indicated that the auction aims to honor and refresh Ethereum’s history, which had not previously recognized his contribution to creating these notable portraits. Miller was involved during Ethereum’s formative period, capturing these images and presenting them to a financially challenged teenager, Vitalik Buterin. He reflected on losing contact with Buterin and Ethereum as they underwent a rapid ascent. Only recently did he realize the importance of his photographs in fostering trust in Buterin and the Ethereum initiative.
Miller originally created the portraits as a gift for Buterin’s non-commercial blog but foresaw that the Ethereum team would need high-quality images for commercial use. He discussed licensing and copyright buyout conditions with Buterin and co-founder Anthony Di Iorio at that time, and even briefly mentioned the possibility of receiving payment in ETH, which had not yet been created. Miller estimated that the copyright buyout would have been around 3225 ETH, but the specifics were ultimately forgotten as their lives diverged.
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In 2014, when Buterin was merely 19 years old, Miller was inspired by his vision for a decentralized future. Impressed by his potential, Miller took a series of portraits that significantly influenced Buterin’s public persona and the perception of Ethereum.
For Miller, these portraits signified more than mere visual depictions of Buterin; they encapsulated a pivotal moment. He characterized Buterin as a shy and socially inexperienced teenager, but as he articulated his vision for Ethereum and a decentralized future, his demeanor shifted. Miller noted how Buterin’s posture became more upright, and his chin lifted, radiating confidence and resolve.
The photographer underscored that the auction’s importance goes beyond the acquisition of a valuable NFT. The portrait embodies Ethereum’s extraordinary journey and the collective endeavors that have contributed to its success.
These portraits have become intrinsically linked to Buterin’s identity and are widely recognized in media, memes, and derivative art. They continue to bolster the trust and recognition associated with Ethereum. With Ethereum now established as a leading smart contract platform, the auction of this iconic piece is anticipated to attract considerable interest from crypto enthusiasts, traders, and institutions alike.
The post Historic Vitalik Buterin Portrait from 2014 Being Auctioned as NFT appeared first on BitcoinWorld.
