Jean-Michel Basquiat was a self-taught artist whose dynamic life and iconic works, featuring obsessive scribbling, symbols, and motifs like skulls, masks, and crowns, cemented his place as one of the 20th century’s most famous artists. Basquiat embraced graffiti before transitioning to studio art, where he found mentorship and friendship with Andy Warhol. His work, rich in references to his Caribbean heritage and a mix of African American, African, and Aztec cultural histories, explores themes of race, power, and pop culture.
Basquiat’s paintings gained widespread acclaim for their intellectual depth and immediacy, securing his legacy even after his tragic death at 27. His works are housed in major collections, including MoMA, the Whitney, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 2017, his painting Untitled (1982) sold for $110.5 million, setting a record for the most expensive artwork by an American artist.
