Statue of Liberty
Medium: Screen-print in colors on thick wove paper
Year: 1986
Image: 35 7/8 x 26 3/8 inches (91×67 cm)
Sheet: 37 7/8 x 28 1/4 inches (96.3 x 71.6 cm)
Edition: 100
Artist’s Proofs: 25 AP
Other: 30 numbered in Roman numerals
Publisher: Martin Lawrence Limited Editions Inc., New York
Printer: Rupert Jasen Smith, New York
Literature: Littmann p. 63
Signed, dated and numbered in pencil with the printer’s blindstamp
In 1986, Keith Haring was commissioned to produce a mural commemorating the 100-year anniversary of America receiving the Statue of Liberty from France. Over a period of three days at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, hundreds of kids from all five New York City Boroughs were orchestrated and instructed by Haring to add their own contributions to the banner, a 2-ply fire retardant nylon that weighs 190 lbs, citing what they thought Liberty meant to them. Given the overt uniqueness of the banner’s conception, it is often referred to as one of the most meaningful works of art in the entire Haring oeuvre.
The completed banner debuted at Liberty Tower in Battery Park City over the 1986 Fourth of July celebration, and has subsequently been exhibited in Europe and throughout the United States. Painted in tandem with the CityKids foundation and over 1,000 young people from across the city, Haring created an emblematic scenario that brought together hundreds of people in his community to create an inspiring reminder of what liberty truly means.
Haring created this screen-print in conjunction with the banner as a numbered edition of 100, published by Rupert Jasen Smith, New York. Awash in a vivid green, she stands tall and proud with her left arm stretched above her, noticeably the torch clasped tightly in her hand; the simplistic fire flickers above, gestural lines showing movement around the flame as it burns brightly and continuously. Beneath the towering Lady Liberty are three iconic figures from Haring’s oeuvre, cast in the same golden-yellow hue as the torch fire, present but not distracting to the overall composition as they dance and wave their arms high above their heads, curved lines of movement expressing movement and joy in a celebratory fashion. As they frame the bottom of the work, their limbs excitedly raised above their heads as they not only celebrate the commemorative statue, but mimic her outstretched hand. Our eyes are guided to follow the lines towards the center of the composition, where we can observe the stoic face of Lady Liberty as she casts her gaze beyond the forehead.
Auction Results
Sotheby’s New-York: 15 April 2025
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 76,200
KEITH HARING (1958 – 1990)
Statue of Liberty (Littmann p. 63), 1986
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and inscribed PP 7/10
One of ten printer’s proofs aside from the numbered edition of 100 plus 25 artist’s proofs
SBI Art Auction: 6 July 2024
Estimated: JPY 7,000,000 – 9,000,000
JPY 12,650,000 / USD 78,694
KEITH HARING
Statue of Liberty (Littmann p.63), 1986
Screenprint
Signed, dated and numbered on the lower right
From the edition of 100
Heritage Auctions: 24 October 2023
USD 65,625
KEITH HARING
Statue of Liberty, 1986
Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Signed, editioned 9/100 and dated in pencil along right edge
SBI Art Auction: 28 October 2022
Estimated: JPY 5,000,000 – 8,000,000
JPY 9,545,000 / USD 65,248
KEITH HARING
Statue of Liberty, 1986
Screen-print in colors
Signed, dated and numbered from the edition of 100
Sotheby’s London: 19 March 2020
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 52,500
KEITH HARING (1958 – 1990)
STATUE OF LIBERTY (L. P. 63), 1986
Screen-print in colors
Signed in pencil, dated, numbered 4/100
Christie’s London: 17 March 2020
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 43,750
KEITH HARING (1958-1990)
Statue of Liberty, 1986
Screen-print in colors on thick wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered IV/XXX
Sotheby’s New-York: 12 March 2020
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 50,000
KEITH HARING (1958 – 1990)
STATUE OF LIBERTY (LITTMANN P. 63), 1986
Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 31/100