The years 1981 to 1984 were a brief period of intense artistic output that cemented Jean-Michel Basquiat’s place within the canon of art history. Initially working under the moniker SAMO, Basquiat, a friend of artist Keith Haring and actress Patti Astor, became an integral member of the social circle around the Mudd Club, the night club–gallery hybrid that defined downtown that decade. In 1981, Mudd Club cofounder Diego Cortez put the 21-year-old Basquiat—then known mainly as a street artist—in a group show called “New York/New Wave,” and he was well was well on his way to fame from there.
By 1983, Basquiat had found his way into the posse of the former Met curator Henry Geldzahler. That year, a discussion between Geldzahler and the artist published in Interview magazine limned the now-famous key elements of Basquiat’s work: royalty, heroism, and the streets. Despite his youth, the artist’s creative agility and his political acumen allowed him to emerge as major force unifying street art with painting, in effect bridging the gap between modes that have historically been considered high and low art. By the time Basquiat died in 27 in 1988, he had become one of the top artists working in New York. Over the subsequent decades, Basquiat’s stature as an artist would be reevaluated by the very institutions in which he remains under-represented. Basquiat is among the most highly valued artists in the art market, and his work regularly sells for tens of millions on at auction, each of which were completed in the brief period between 1981 and 1984.
Paintings
The highest price paid at auction for a painting created by Jean-Michel Basquiat was achieved at Sotheby’s in New-York on 18 May 2017 when Untitled (1982), sold for USD 111,487,504. The Top 10 generated a cumulative turnover of USD 624,343,783. 7 lots are paintings dated 1982, what is considered to be the best year for the artist. 2 lots were sold in 2023, 1 lot sold in 2022, and 4 lots sold in 2021, one lot sold in 2013. All the lots except one sold in New-York.
#1. Untitled (Head), 1982
Sotheby’s New-York: 18 May 2017
Estimate Upon Request
USD 110,487,504
(#24) Jean-Michel Basquiat (sothebys.com)
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Untitled (Head), 1982
Acrylic, spray-paint and oilstick on canvas
72×68 inches (183.2 x 173 cm)
Signed, inscribed NYC and dated 82 on the reverse
USD 100 million
#2. In this Case, 1983
Christie’s New-York, 11 May 2021
Estimate Upon Request
USD 93,105,000
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) (christies.com)
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
In This Case, 1982
Acrylic and oilstick on canvas
77.9 x 73.7 inches (197.8 x 187.3 cm)
Signed, titled and dated ‘”IN THIS CASE” 1983 Jean Michel Basquiat’ (on the reverse)
#3. Untitled, 1982
Phillips New-York: 18 May 2022
Estimate Upon Request
USD 85,000,000
Jean-Michel Basquiat – 20th Century & Co… Lot 12 May 2022 | Phillips
REPEAT SALE
Christie’s New-York: 9 May 2016
Estimate on Request
USD 57,285,000
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), Untitled | Christie’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Untitled, 1982
Acrylic and spray-paint on canvas
94×197 inches (239.4×501 cm)
#4. El Gran Espectaculo (The Nile), 1983
READ ABOUT EL GRAN ESPECTACULO (THE NILE)
Christie’s New-York: 15 May 2023
Estimate On Request
USD 67,110,000
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988) (christies.com)
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
El Gran Espectaculo (The Nile), 1983
Acrylic and oilstick on canvas mounted on wooden supports, in three parts
Overall: 68×141 inches (172.7 x 358 cm.)
Titled ‘EL GRAN ESPECTACULO’ (upper center)
Signed, titled and dated ‘“THE NILE” 1983 Jean-Michel Basquiat’ (on the reverse)
#5. Versus Medici, 1982
Sotheby’s New-York: 12 May 2021
Estimated: USD 35,000,000 – 50,000,000
USD 50,820,000
Versus Medici | Contemporary Art Evening Auction | 2021 | Sotheby’s (sothebys.com)
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Versus Medici, 1982
Acrylic, oilstick and paper collage on three joined canvases
84.2 x 54.2 inches (214 x 137.8 cm)
Signed, titled and dated OCT. 1982 on the reverse
USD 50 million
#6. Dustheads, 1982
Christie’s New-York: 14 May 2013
Estimated: USD 25,000,000 – 35,000,000
USD 48,843,750
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) (christies.com)
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Dustheads, 1982
Acrylic, oilstick, spray enamel and metallic paint on canvas
72×84 inches (182.8 x 213.3 cm)
Signed, titled and dated ‘DUSTHEADS Jean-Michel Basquiat 82’ (on the reverse)
#7. Untitled (ELMAR), 1982
Phillips New-York: 14 May 2024
Estimated: USD 40,000,000 – 60,000,000
USD 46,479,000
Jean-Michel Basquiat – Modern & Contempor… Lot 5 May 2024 | Phillips
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Untitled (ELMAR), 1982
Acrylic, oilstick, spray paint and Xerox collage on canvas
68 x 93 1/8 inches (172.7 x 236.5 cm)
Signed “Jean-Michel Basquiat” on the reverse
#8. Flexible, 1984
Phillips New-York, 17 May 2018
Estimate on Request
USD 45,315,000
Jean-Michel Basquiat – 20th Century & Con… Lot 5 May 2018 | Phillips
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Flexible, 1984
Acrylic and oilstick on wood
102 x 75 inches (259.1 x 190.5 cm)
Signed with the artist’s initials
Titled and dated “”FLEXIBLE” JMB 1984″ on the reverse
#9. Self-Portrait as a Heel (Part Two), 1982
READ ABOUT SELF-PORTRAIT AS A HEEL (PART TWO)
Sotheby’s New-York: 15 November 2023
Estimated: USD 40,000,000 – 60,000,000
USD 42,000,000
Self-Portrait as a Heel (Part Two) | Contemporary Evening Auction | 2023 | Sotheby’s (sothebys.com)
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960 – 1988)
Self-Portrait as a Heel (Part Two), 1982
Acrylic and oilstick on canvas
96 x 61 1/2 inches (243.8 x 156.2 cm)
Signed, titled, dated 1982 and variously inscribed (on the reverse)
#10. Warrior, 1982
Christie’s Hong-Kong: 22 March 2021
Estimated: HKD 240,000,000 – 320,000,000
HKD 323,600,000 / USD 41,662,529
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988) (christies.com)
Warrior, 1982
Acrylic, oilstick and spray-paint on wood panel
72×48 inches (183×122 cm)
#11. The Guilt of Gold Teeth, 1982
READ ABOUT THE GUILT OF GOLD TEETH
Christie’s New-York: 8 November 2021
Estimated: USD 40,000,000 – 80,000,000
USD 40,000,000
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988) (christies.com)
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
The Guilt of Gold Teeth, 1982
Acrylic, spray paint and oilstick on canvas
94.5 x 165.9 inches (240 x 421.3 cm)
Titled ‘“THE GUILT OF GOLD TEETH”’ (lower left)
Signed, inscribed and dated ‘MODENA / JEAN MICHEL BASQUIAT 1982’ (lower right)
Signed, titled, inscribed and dated again ‘”THE GUILT OF GOLD TEETH” Jean-Michel Basquiat 1982 MODENA” (on the reverse)
USD 40 million
#12. Untitled, 1985
Sotheby’s Hong-Kong: 18 June 2021
Estimated: HKD 255,000,000 – 350,000,000
HKD 289,316,000 / USD 37,271,134
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Untitled, 1985
Acrylic and oilstick on wood, in three parts
217.2 x 275.6 x 30.5 cm (85.5 x 108.5 x 12 inches)
#13. The Field Next To The Other Road, 1981
READ ABOUT THE FIELD NEXT TO THE OTHER ROAD
Christie’s New-York, 13 May 2015
Estimated: USD 25,000,000 – 35,000,000
USD 37,125,000
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) (christies.com)
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
The Field Next to the Other Road, 1981
Acrylic, enamel spray paint, oilstick, metallic paint and ink on canvas
87×158 inches (220.9 x 401.3 cm)
Signed and inscribed ‘Jean-Michel Basquiat modena’ (on the reverse)
#14. La Hara, 1981
Christie’s New-York, 17 May 2017
Estimated: USD 22,000,000 – 28,000,000
USD 34,967,500
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) (christies.com)
La Hara, 1981
Acrylic and oilstick on wood panel
72 x 47 3/4 inches (182.9 x 121.3 cm)
Signed, inscribed, titled and dated ‘JEAN MICHEL BASQUIAT N.Y.C. 81 “LA HARA”‘ (on the reverse)
#15. Untitled, 1981
Christie’s New-York: 13 May 2014
Estimated: USD 20,000,000 – 30,000,000
USD 34,885,000
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) , Untitled | Christie’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
Untitled, 1981
Acrylic, oilstick and metallic spray enamel on canvas
68×103 inches (172.7 x 261.6 cm)
#16. Sugar Ray Robinson, 1982
Christie’s New-York: 17 November 2022
Estimate On Request
USD 32,679,000
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988) (christies.com)
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
Sugar Ray Robinson, 1982
Acrylic and oilstick on canvas
59 7/8 x 48 1/4 inches (152.1 x 122.6 cm)
#17. The Italian Version of Popeye has no Pork in his Diet, 1982
READ ABOUT THE ITALIAN VERSION OF POPEY HAS NO PORK IN HIS DIET
Christie’s New-York: 14 May 2024
Estimate on Request
USD 32,035,000
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
The Italian Version of Popeye has no Pork in his Diet, 1982
Acrylic, oilstick and paper collage on canvas mounted on tied wood supports
60×60 inches (152.4 x 152.4 cm)
Signed, titled and dated (on the reverse)
#18. Flesh and Spirit, 1982-83
Sotheby’s New-York: 16 May 2018
Estimate on Request
USD 30,711,000
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Flesh and Spirit, 1982-83
Oil stick, gesso, acrylic and paper on canvas
2 panels, each: 72 1/2 x 145 inches (184.2 x 368.3 cm)
Overall: 145×145 inches (368.3 x 368.3 cm)
#19. Untitled (One Eyed Man or Xerox Face), 1982
READ ABOUT UNTITLED (ONE EYED MAN OR XEROX FACE)
Christie’s Hong-Kong: 24 May 2021
Estimated: HKD 140,000,000 – 170,000,000
HKD 234,290,000 / USD 30,175,146
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988), Untitled (One Eyed Man or Xerox Face) | Christie’s
REPEAT SALE
Sotheby’s London: 8 March 2017
Estimated: GBP 14,000,000 – 18,000,000
GBP 11,971,250 / USD 14,566,470
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Untitled (One Eyed Man or Xerox Face), 1982
Acrylic, spray paint, oilstick and Xerox collage on panel
72×48 inches (182.9 x 121.9 cm)
USD 30 million
#20. Untitled, 1982
Christie’s New-York: 12 November 2013
Estimated: USD 25,000,000 – 35,000,000
USD 29,285,000
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), Untitled | Christie’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
Untitled, 1982
Acrylic and oilstick on wood panel
72×48 inches (182.8 x 121.9 cm)
#21. Untitled, 1982
Christie’s London: 27 June 2013
Estimate on Request
GBP 18,765,875 / USD 28,942,443
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) , Untitled | Christie’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
Untitled, 1982
Diptych, acrylic and oilstick on panel
72×96 inches (182.8 x 244 cm)
Signed and dated ‘JEAN-MICHEL 82’ (on the reverse of the left panel)
Signed and dated ‘JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT 1982’ (on the reverse of the right panel)
#22. Now’s the Time, 1985
Sotheby’s New-York: 18 May 2023
Estimate On Request
USD 28,634,000
Now’s the Time | Contemporary Evening Auction | 2023 | Sotheby’s (sothebys.com)
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960 – 1988)
Now’s the Time, 1985
Acrylic and oilstick on wood
92 1/4 x 93 1/4 inches (234.3 x 236.9 cm)
#23. Untitled, 1981
Estimate on Request
USD 26,402,500
Untitled, 1981
Oilstick, acrylic and spray enamel on canvas
78×68 inches (198.1 x 172.7 cm)
#24. Untitled (Yellow Tar and Feathers), 1982
Estimated: USD 15,000,000 – 20,000,000
USD 25,925,000
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Untitled (Yellow Tar and Feathers), 1982
Acrylic, oilstick, crayon, paper collage and feathers on joined wood panels
96 1/2 x 90 1/4 inches (245.1 x 229.2 cm)
#25. Untitled (Pollo Frito), 1982
Estimate on Request
USD 25,701,500
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Untitled (Pollo Frito), 1982
Acrylic, oil, and enamel on canvas, in two parts
60 x 120 1/2 inches (152.4 x 306.1 cm)
Signed and dated 82 on the reverse of the right panel
Signed and inscribed NYC on the reverse of the left panel
#26. Undiscovered Genius of the Mississippi Delta, 1983
Estimate on Request
USD 23,685,000
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Undiscovered Genius of the Mississippi Delta, 1983
Acrylic, oilstick and paper collage on five joined canvases
Overall: 49 x 185 1/2 inches (124.5 x 471.2 cm)
#27. Baby Boom, 1982
Christie’s New-York: 14 May 2025
Estimated: USD 20,000,000 – 30,000,000
USD 24,310,000
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988), Baby Boom | Christie’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
Baby Boom, 1982
Acrylic, oilstick and paper collage on canvas mounted on tied wood supports
49×84 inches (125 x 213.5 cm)
Signed, titled and dated ‘‘Baby Boom’ Jean-Michel Basquiat Aug. 1982’’ (on the reverse)
#28. Red Skull, 1982
Estimated: GBP 12,000,000 – 18,000,000
GBP 16,546,250 / USD 21,620,890
Red Skull, 1982
Acrylic, oilstick and paper collage on canvas
60×60 inches (152.4 x 152.4 cm)
#29. Donut Revenge, 1982
Christie’s Hong-Kong: 30 November 2021
Estimated: HKD 140,000,000 – 190,000,000
HKD 163,300,000 / USD 20,953,023
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988) , Donut Revenge | Christie’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Donut Revenge, 1982
Acrylic, oilsticks, and paper collage on canvas
96x 72 inches (243.2 x 182.2 cm)
#30. Untitled (Red Warrior), 1982
Sotheby’s Hong-Kong: 9 October 2021
Estimated: HKD 150,000,000 – 200,000,000
HKD 162,926,000 / USD 20,929,800
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Untitled (Red Warrior), 1982
Acrylic and oil stick on linen
77×78 inches (195.6 x 198 cm)
#31. Discography Two, 1983
Christie’s New-York: 15 November 2018
Estimated: USD 20,000,000 – 30,000,000
USD 20,900,000
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), Discography Two | Christie’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
Discography Two, 1983
Acrylic and oilstick on canvas
66 1/8 x 60 1/8 inches (168 x 152.7 cm)
Titled ‘”DISCOGRAPHY TWO”‘ (on the reverse)
#32. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Derelict, 1982
Sotheby’s London: 25 June 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000,000 – 20,000,000
GBP 16,016,832 / USD 20,309,343
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960 – 1988)
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Derelict, 1982
Oil, oil stick, and acrylic on wood and metal
80×82 inches (203.2 x 208.3 cm)
Signed, titled and dated 1982 (on the reverse of the left panel)
#33. Untitled, 1981
Christie’s London: 27 June 2012
Estimate on Request
GBP 12,921,250 / USD 20,124,395
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) , Untitled | Christie’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
Untitled, 1981
Acrylic, oilstick and spray paint on canvas
78 1/8 x 72 inches (199.5 x 182.9 cm)
USD 20 million
#34. Flash in Naples, 1983
Christie’s New-York: 8 November 2021
Estimated: USD 14,000,000 – 18,000,000
USD 19,825,000
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988), Flash in Naples | Christie’s
REPEAT SALE
Sotheby’s New-York: 16 November 2017
Estimated: USD 7,000,000 – 10,000,000
USD 8,131,000
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Flash in Naples, 1983
acrylic, oil and oilstick on canvas
66×60 inches (167.6 x 152.7 cm)
#35. Untitled, 1982
Sotheby’s London: 25 June 2024
Estimated: GBP 7,500,000 – 10,000,000
GBP 14,674,200 / USD 19,427,995
(#13) JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT | Untitled
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Untitled, 1982
Acrylic, oilstick, spray paint and Xerox collage on canvas
72×48 inches (183×122 cm)
Signed and dated 82 on the reverse
#36. Brother’s Sausage, 1983
Sotheby’s New-York: 17 November 2016
Estimated: USD 15,000,000 – 20,000,000
USD 18,650,000
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Brother’s Sausage, 1983
Acrylic, oilstick and paper collage on canvas
48 x 187 1/2 inches (121.9 x 476.2 cm)
#37. Jim Crow, 1986
Christie’s Paris: 20 October 2017
Estimate on Request
EUR 15,007,500 / USD 17,679,655
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988), Jim Crow | Christie’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
Jim Crow, 1986
Acrylic and grease pencil on wood
80 7/8 x 96 1/8 x 1 5/8 inches (205.3 x 244 x 4 cm)
Titled ‘”JIM CROW”‘ (within the composition)
Signed with initials, titled and dated ‘”JIM CROW” jmb 86-‘ (on reverse)
#38. Multiflavors, 1982
Christie’s London: 6 March 2018
Estimated: GBP 10,000,000 – 15,000,000
GBP 12,046,250 / USD 16,749,655
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), Multiflavors | Christie’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
Multiflavors, 1982
Acrylic and oilstick on canvas with tied wood supports
60 1/2 x 61 inches (153.7 x 154.5 cm)
Signed and titled ‘”MULTIFLAVOR” [sic] Jean-Michel Basquiat’ (on the reverse)
#39. Untitled, 1981
Phillips New-York: 9 May 2012
Estimated: USD 8,000,000 – 12,000,000
USD 16,322,500
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Untitled, 1981
Acrylic, oilstick and spray paint on wood
73 1/4 x 49 1/4 inches (186.1 x 125.1 cm)
Signed inscribed and dated on the reverse
#40. The Ring, 1981
Phillips New-York: 14 November 2019
Estimated: USD 10,000,000 – 15,000,000
USD 15,035,000
Jean-Michel Basquiat – 20th C. & Co… Lot 26 November 2019 | Phillips
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
The Ring, 1981
Acrylic and oilstick on canvas
60×48 inches (152.4 x 121.9 cm)
Signed, partially titled and dated “Jean Michel Basquiat “RING” 1981” on the reverse
#41. Il Duce, 1982
Christie’s Shanghai: 22 February 2022
Estimated: CNY 80,000,000 – 120,000,000
CNY 94,160,000 / USD 14,915,491
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988), Il Duce | Christie’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Il Duce, 1982
Acrylic, oilstick on canvas
60×60 inches (152.4 x 152.4 cm)
#XX. Saxaphone, 1986
Sotheby’s New-York: 16 November 2022
Estimated: USD 12,000,000 – 18,000,000
USD 13,667,400
Saxaphone | Contemporary Evening Auction | 2022 | Sotheby’s
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)
Saxaphone, 1986
Acrylic and oilstick on canvas
66×60 inches (167.6 x 152.4 cm)