Jean Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat was one of the most electrifying artists of the 20th century, whose meteoric rise from the streets of New York to the walls of the world’s most prestigious museums transformed the art world forever. His work embodies a rare convergence of cultural critique, raw expression, and market power—making Basquiat one of the most coveted names in modern and contemporary collecting today.

Born in Brooklyn to Haitian and Puerto Rican parents, Basquiat began his artistic journey as a teenage graffiti artist under the tag “SAMO.” He quickly emerged as a central figure in the downtown art scene of the late 1970s and early '80s, standing shoulder to shoulder with figures like Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Julian Schnabel. His work defied categorization, blending expressionist energy, neo-primitive forms, and cryptic text with urgent commentary on race, capitalism, power, and identity.

Despite passing at the young age of 27, Basquiat produced a deeply influential body of work that continues to appreciate in both cultural relevance and financial value. His paintings now hang in major institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney, the Broad, and the Guggenheim, and consistently achieve eight- and nine-figure results at auction. In 2017, his untitled 1982 skull painting sold for over $110 million at Sotheby’s—making him one of the most valuable artists in history.

Basquiat's legacy is not only enduring but accelerating. He is a cornerstone of any serious contemporary collection, representing both a profound artistic voice and a blue-chip asset. As collectors and institutions worldwide continue to compete for his limited output, Basquiat remains a symbol of cultural genius—and a powerful investment in the future of art history.