The Story of Red and Blue is a series of lithographs created in 1989, known for its vibrant colors, dynamic figures, and message of unity and hope.
Introduction
The Story of Red and Blue consists of 20 lithographs, each featuring Haring’s signature bold lines and cartoon-like figures. Keith Haring only uses strong red and blue hues, interchanging the colors as a central element of the narrative. The images portray a variety of characters, some resembling familiar figures from children’s stories, others more abstract. The sequence culminates in an image where the distinct red and blue elements converge and are brought together in the form of an egg held in a human hand communicating hope and love.
The series conveys a message of optimism and hope for unity. The contrasting red and blue elements represent differences (which could be interpreted as different people, ideas, or forces) that eventually find common ground and are united. This theme of harmony and convergence reflects Haring’s broader artistic mission, which often aimed to communicate positive social messages in accessible ways.
The Story of Red and Blue is a notable example of Haring’s print work in the later part of his career, demonstrating his continued exploration of universal themes and accessible imagery. Its legacy lies in its clear, positive message and its use in educational contexts to teach about color theory, artistic expression, and social themes.
The series was created in 1989, just a year before Haring’s death in 1990 from AIDS-related complications. This period was a time of intense artistic activity for Haring, who was using his work more explicitly to raise awareness about social and political issues, including the AIDS epidemic and the need for love and compassion. While “The Story of Red and Blue” carries a more general message of unity, it is contextualized within this period of heightened social consciousness in Haring’s life and work.
The Story of Red and Blue, 1989-1990
The Story of Red and Blue
The complete portfolio comprising 20 lithographs printed in colors
Medium: Lithograph printed in colors on thin wove paper
Year: 1989-1990
Sheet: 22 x 16 1/2 inches (56×42 cm)
Edition: 90
Artist’s Proofs: 10 AP
Publisher: Keith Haring Estate, New-York
Literature: Littmann pp. 128-133
Each with the artist’s printed signature and date recto and the stamped certificate of authenticity signed in pencil by Julia Gruen, the executor of the Keith Haring Estate verso
The Story of Red and Blue #1 (L. p. 129)
The Story of Red and Blue #2 (L. p. 129)
The Story of Red and Blue #3 (L. p. 129)
The Story of Red and Blue #4 (L. p. 129)
The Story of Red and Blue #5 (L. p. 130)
The Story of Red and Blue #6 (L. p. 130)
The Story of Red and Blue #7 (L. p. 130)
The Story of Red and Blue #8 (L. p. 130)
The Story of Red and Blue #9 (L. p. 131)
The Story of Red and Blue #10 (L. p. 131)
The Story of Red and Blue #11 (L. p. 131)
The Story of Red and Blue #12 (L. p. 131)
The Story of Red and Blue #13 (L. p. 132)
The Story of Red and Blue #14 (L. p. 132)
The Story of Red and Blue #15 (L. p. 132)
The Story of Red and Blue #16 (L. p. 132)
The Story of Red and Blue #17 (L. p. 133)
The Story of Red and Blue #18 (L. p. 133)
The Story of Red and Blue #19 (L. p. 133)
The Story of Red and Blue #20 (L. p. 133)
2025 Auction Results
The Story of Red and Blue #5, 1989-90
LA Modern: 3 September 2025
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 5,000
USD 3,302
Signed and dated to lower left ‘K. Haring 90’
Estate stamp to verso signed by Julia Gruen, Executive Director of the Keith Haring Foundation
This work is number 19 from the edition of 90
The Story of Red and Blue #2, 1989-90
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 5,000
USD 3,302
Signed and dated to lower left ‘K. Haring 90’
Estate stamp to verso signed by Julia Gruen, Executive Director of the Keith Haring Foundation
This work is number 78 from the edition of 90
The Story of Red and Blue #2, 1989-90
Bonhams online: 26 June 2025
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 4,000
USD 3,072
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
With the artist’s estate stamp verso
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered ’78/90 – II’ by Julia Gruen
(the executor of the Keith Haring Estate)
The Story of Red and Blue #5, 1989-90
Bonhams online: 26 June 2025
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 4,000
USD 3,072
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered ’19/90 – V’ by Julia Gruen
(the executor of the Keith Haring Estate)
The Story of Red and Blue #14, 1989-90
Estimated: HKD 15,000 – 20,000
HKD 27,940 / USD 3,595
Signed and dated ‘6/14/90′ in pencil by Julia Gruen (Executor for the Keith Haring Estate)
Numbered ’40/90 – XIV’ in pencil on a printed Certificate of Authenticity on the reverse
2024 Auction Results
The Story of Red and Blue #2, 1989-90
LA Modern: 4 September 2024
Estimated: USD 2,500 – 3,500
USD 2,520
KEITH HARING (1958–1990)
Plate 2 (from The Story of Red and Blue portfolio), 1989-90
Screenprint in colors
Estate stamp to verso signed by Julia Gruen, Executive Director of the Keith Haring Foundation
This work is from the edition of 90 published by the Keith Haring Estate, New York
The Story of Red and Blue #13, 1989-90
LA Modern: 15 May 2024
Estimated: USD 2,500 – 3,500
USD 4,788
KEITH HARING (1958–1990)
Plate 13 (from The Story of Red and Blue portfolio) (Littmann 129), 1989-90
Screenprint in colors
Signed and dated to lower right ‘K. Haring 90’. Numbered to verso ‘33/90 – XIII’
Estate stamp to verso signed by Julia Gruen, Executive Director of the Keith Haring Foundation
The Story of Red and Blue #14, 1989-90
Wright Chicago: 18 April 2024
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 5,000
USD 3,528
KEITH HARING (1958–1990)
Plate 14 (from The Story of Red and Blue portfolio), 1990
Lithograph in colors
Signed and dated to lower left ‘Keith Haring 90’
Estate stamp to verso signed by Julia Gruen, Executive Director of the Keith Haring Foundation
This work is number 33 from the edition of 90
The Story of Red and Blue #18, 1989-90
Wright Chicago: 18 April 2024
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 5,000
USD 4,410
KEITH HARING (1958–1990)
Plate 18 (from The Story of Red and Blue portfolio), 1990
Lithograph in colors
Signed and dated to lower right ‘K. Haring 90’
Estate stamp to verso signed by Julia Gruen, Executive Director of the Keith Haring Foundation
This work is number 33 from the edition of 90
The Story of Red and Blue #12, 1989-90
Rago: 8 April 2024
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 5,000
USD 3,528
KEITH HARING (1958–1990)
Plate 12 (from The Story of Red and Blue portfolio) (Littmann 131), 1990
Screenprint in colors
Signed and dated to lower edge ‘K Haring 90’
Estate stamp signed by the executor to verso
This work is number 33 from the edition of 90
The Story of Red and Blue #8, 1989-90
Rago: 14 February 2024
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 5,000
USD 8,190
Signed and dated to lower left ‘K. Haring 90’
Estate stamp signed by the executor to verso
This work is number 33 from the edition of 90
The Story of Red and Blue #6, 1989-90
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 5,000
USD 3,024
Estate stamp signed by the executor to verso
This work is number 33 from the edition of 90
The Story of Red and Blue #9, 1989-90
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 4,000
USD 3,276
KEITH HARING (1958–1990)
The Story of Red and Blue 9 (from The Story of Red and Blue series), 1989-90
Lithograph in colors
Signed, dated and numbered by Julia Gruen (executor for the Keith Haring Estate) to verso ’33/90-IX 6/14/90′ with estate stamp
Signed and dated to lower right ‘K. Haring ’90’
The Story of Red and Blue #7, 1989-90
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 4,000
USD 3,528
The Story of Red and Blue 7 (from The Story of Red and Blue series), 1989-90
(executor for the Keith Haring Estate) to verso ’33/90- VII 6/14/90′ with estate stamp
Signed and dated to lower right ‘K. Haring ’90’
2023 Auction Results
The Story of Red and Blue #10, 1989-90
Grisebach Berlin: 29 October 2023
Estimated: EUR 2,000 – 3,000
EUR 3,556 / USD 3,760
KEITH HARING (Kutztown, Pennsylvania 1958 – 1990 New York)
From: ”The story of red + blue” Sheet 10 (of 20) (Littmann 131), 1989/90
Color lithograph on paper
Signed and dated
On the reverse with the stamp of the Keith Haring Estate
Signed and dated by the foundation, as well as the handwritten numbering: Ex. AP
Artist’s copy outside of 90 numbered prints
The Story of Red and Blue #4, 1989-90
Grisebach Berlin: 29 October 2023
Estimated: EUR 2,000 – 3,000
EUR 2,286 / USD 2,423
KEITH HARING (Kutztown, Pennsylvania 1958 – 1990 New York)
From: ”The Story of red + blue” Sheet 4 (of 20) (Littmann 129), 1989/90
Color lithograph on paper
Signed and dated
On the reverse with the stamp of the Keith Haring Estate
Signed and dated by the foundation, as well as the handwritten numbering: Ex. 39/90
The Story of Red and Blue #11, 1989-90
Phillips New-York: 26 October 2023
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 5,000
USD 10,160
KEITH HARING
The Story of Red and Blue: number 11 (L. p. 131), 1989
Lithograph in black and red on light wove paper
With printed signature and date in silver on the front
Signed and dated ‘6/14/90′ in pencil by Julia Gruen (Executor for the Keith Haring Estate)
Numbered ’20/90 – XI’ in pencil on a printed Certificate of Authenticity on the reverse
The Story of Red and Blue #17, 1989-90
Phillips London: 19 January 2023
Estimated: GBP 1,000 – 1,500
GBP 9, 450 / USD 11,610
KEITH HARING
The Story of Red and Blue: number 17 (L. p. 133), 1989
Lithograph in colors, on light wove paper
With printed signature and date in silver on the front
Signed and dated ‘6/14/90′ in pencil by Julia Gruen (Executor for the Keith Haring Estate)
Numbered ’54/90 – XVII’ in pencil on a printed Certificate of Authenticity on the reverse
2022 Auction Results
The Story of Red and Blue #15, 1989-90
Heritage Auctions: 25 May 2022
USD 5,750
KEITH HARING
No. 15 from The Story of Red and Blue, 1990
Screen-print in colors on paper
Numbered 63/90
Dated and inscribed by the Keith Haring Estate verso
The Story of Red and Blue #1, 1989-90
Bonhams New-York: 12 May 2022
Estimated: USD 5,000 – 7,000
USD 6,375
Lithograph in colors on wove paper
With printed signature and dated in silver on the front
Signed in pencil and dated ‘6/14/90’ by Julia Gruen (Executor of the Keith Haring Estate)
Numbered AP 2/10-I on a printed Certificate of Authenticity on the reverse
An artist’s proof, aside from the edition of 90
The Story of Red and Blue #2, 1989-90
Estimated: USD 5,000 – 7,000
USD 6,375
Lithograph in colors on wove paper
With printed signature and dated in silver on the front
Signed in pencil and dated ‘6/14/90’ by Julia Gruen (Executor of the Keith Haring Estate)
Numbered AP 2/10-I on a printed Certificate of Authenticity on the reverse
An artist’s proof, aside from the edition of 90
The Story of Red and Blue #4, 1989-90
Estimated: USD 2,000 – 3,000
USD 4,000
Lithograph in colors
Estate stamp signed by the executor to verso
Complete Sets
Karl & Faber: 5 June 2025
Estimated: EUR 35,000 – 45,000
EUR 44,450 / USD 50,675
The Story of Red and Blue (Littmann pp. 128-133), 1990
Portfolio of 20 colored lithographs on fine wove paper
With title and dedication page as well as cardboard cover.
One of 10 “AP”-numbered copies from a total edition of 90 prints
Each signed by Julia Gruen on the reverse for the estate
With the stamp “Certificate of Authentification” of the Keith Haring Estate, New York
Sotheby’s New-York: 22 October 2024
Estimated: USD 25,000 – 35,000
USD 38,400
KEITH HARING (1958 – 1990)
The Story of Red and Blue, 1-20 (see Lippmann pp. 128-133), 1989-90
The complete set of 20 lithographs printed in colors on wove paper
With the title page, lacking the original white cardboard portfolio case
All sheets: 22 x 16 1/2 inches (56×42 cm)
Each signed in pencil on the stamped certificate of authenticity on the verso by Julia Gruen, the executor of the Keith Haring Estate, dated 6/14/90 and numbered 49/90
Heritage Auctions: 24 October 2023
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 31,250
KEITH HARING
The Story of Red and Blue, 1989-1990
Portfolio of 20 lithographs in colors on wove paper
Each signed by Julia Gruen, editioned 33/90 and dated in pencil along lower edge
Sotheby’s Cologne: 29 June 2023
Estimated: EUR 40,000 – 60,000
EUR 48,260 / USD 52,680
KEITH HARING (1958 – 1990)
The Story of Red and Blue, 1989-1990
The complete portfolio, comprising 20 lithographs printed in colors on thin wove paper
With the title page, contained in the original white cardboard portfolio case
Each with the artist’s printed signature and date recto and numbered 29/90
Stamped certificate of authenticity signed in pencil by Julia Gruen
The executor of the Keith Haring Estate verso
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 20,160
KEITH HARING (1958 – 1990)
The Story of Red + Blue (L. pp. 128-133), 1989-90
The portfolio, comprising 14 screen-prints in colors (from the set of 20)
Each signed in pencil, dated, numbered 57/90 verso