Jean-Michel Basquiat is a groundbreaking figure in contemporary art. He rose to fame in the 1980s with his raw, expressive works that blended street art and fine art.
His bold and energetic paintings addressed themes of race, identity, and power. Basquiat’s unique visual language and blend of graffiti with neo-expressionism cemented his place as one of the most influential artists of his generation.
His pieces can fetch millions at auction. If you want to add a Basquiat piece to your collection, we’ve got you covered. Check out the Jean-Michel Basquiat art we have for sale at Grove Gallery below.
Jean-Michel Basquiat transformed the contemporary art scene. He emerged from the streets of New York City in the late 1970s and 1980s with a voice that was as powerful as it was unique.
Basquiat’s paintings are characterised by their raw energy, bold colours, and dense layering of text, symbols, and figures. He often incorporated crowns, skulls, and words in his works, creating a powerful narrative that reflected his thoughts on racism and inequality.
Despite his meteoric rise to fame, Basquiat struggled with fame and his personal demons – and his untimely death at the age of 27 only intensified his status as a cultural icon.
More than 3 decades after his death, his influence on art and culture continues to grow, as his works, now considered masterpieces, fetch record prices at auction and remain highly sought after by collectors and institutions around the world.
His art continues to resonate across generations, confronting issues of race, class, and identity with an intensity and passion that few have matched.
From his early days tagging the streets of New York to his rise as a global icon, Jean-Michel Basquiat remains a defining figure in the story of contemporary art, his voice immortalised through his bold and unapologetic works.
Jean-Michel Basquiat Art FAQs
What is Basquiat’s most expensive piece?
Basquiat’s art can sell for tens of millions of pounds at auction – but his record was set when “Untitled” (1982) sold for $110.5 million at Sotheby’s New York. Some other expensive pieces include “In This Case”, which sold for $93.1 million in 2021, and “Versus Medici”, which sold for $50.8 million in 2021.
How did Basquiat begin his art journey?
Jean-Michel Basquiat was born in Brooklyn to Haitian and Puerto Rican parents, and his work reflected his cultural heritage, his experiences growing up in America, and his deep fascination with history, anatomy, and social justice.
Basquiat started out as part of the street art duo SAMO and quickly became known for his paintings that commented on race, identity, and power dynamics.
How many pieces did Jean-Michel Basquiat create?
Throughout his career, Basquiat created around 600 paintings, 1,500 drawings, and many sculptures and mixed media works. Since his death, his work has steadily increased in value.
