Jean-Michel Basquiat as photographed by Andy Warhol, 1982.
Image courtesy of Vanity Fair
Basquiat was famously introduced to the art world by poet and critic René Ricard in his Artforum article “Radiant Child”: “I’m always amazed at how people come up with things. Like Jean-Michel… What he incorporates into his pictures, whether found or made, is specific and selective. He has a perfect idea of what he’s getting across, using everything that collates to his vision.” (René Ricard, “Radiant Child,” Artforum, vol. XX, no. 4, December 1981, p. 37)
Today, Jean-Michel Basquiat is one of the most famous and recognized artists of all time. As Basquiat’s work was at heart autobiographical, his engagement with previous art masters of Abstract and Pop fame is consequential when contemplating his œuvre.
For more, enjoy this video on Jean Michel Basquiat – The Radiant Child (2010), featuring interviews with the artist c. 1986.
This piece was a recent feature of Sotheby’s Fall Evening auction in NYC.
“Placed prominently in the bustling spectacle, an effortlessly cool figure, playing a harmonica and sporting dark sunglasses, references the Afro-American Jazz musicians, such as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, that Basquiat venerated in earlier works.”
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 – 1988), UNTITLED, 1987, acrylic, oilstick and pencil on canvas, 95 1/4 x 117 1/2 in.
Image courtesy of Sotheby’s
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 – 1988), UNTITLED, 1981.
Image courtesy of Vanity Fair’s Special Edition 2015-2016
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 – 1988), UNTITLED (Boxing Ring), 1981.
Image courtesy of Vanity Fair
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 – 1988), UNTITLED (Estrella), 1985.
Image courtesy of Vanity Fair
