Those notorious nude photographs of Madonna that were taken before she became famous, have gone on display at an exhibition auction in London.

Madonna was paid just $US30 (AUD$38.50) by New York-based photographer Martin Schreiber when she posed for the black and whites back in 1979 at the tender age of 20. The photographs capture the now notorious singer just before her star was destined to rise, when she was living in New York still seeking her big break in the music business and modelling in to pay for dance school.

“Basically she was a model. She was hired for this photo session by Martin who was teaching photography to his students. She was no-one then,” said London Gallery owner and exhibition organiser Jamie McCartney.

The rather classic black and white images show the statuesque star lounging naked on a sofa confidently and posing with a cat.

The photographs are expected to be quickly snapped up by collectors and Madonna fans, with prices starting $US5,300 (AUD$6800).