Jean-Michel Basquiat
Overview of Estate Prints

 

Jean-Michel Basquiat only created two prints while he was alive.

The first one is Anatomy, a portfolio of 18 signed prints that the artist made in 1982. Each print is signed in pencil and numbered on the verso, from an edition of 18 (total edition includes seven artist’s proofs), and printed on Arches 88 wove paper, printed by Jo Watanabe, New York, published by Annina Nosei Gallery, New York.

 

Three Plates from Anatomy, 1982
Screen-print on Arches 88 paper (18 different plates)
each 30×22 inches
Edition: 18 plus 7 AP

 

The second one, which the artist made in 1983, is Back of the Neck. With over 2.5 meters wide, it is a monumental work on paper with hand-colored finishing, featuring some of Basquiat’s most recognizable motifs – anatomy, the © symbol and a three-pointed crown.

 

Back of the Neck, 1983

 

Those prints, created in Basquiat’s lifetime are very rare and command high prices at auction. The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat has started to publish editions in 2001 after the artist’s death. These posthumous works – based on Basquiat’s most celebrated paintings – are also desirable among collectors.

 

The Super-Hero Portfolio, 2022


Riddle Me This, A Panel of Experts,
Piano Lesson, Flash in Naples

 

On 1 June 2022, The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat announced the release of a new portfolio of four hand-pulled screen-prints, Riddle Me ThisA Panel of ExpertsPiano Lesson, and Flash In Naples (1982-87/2022), published by Flatiron Editions. The portfolio was available exclusively through Pace Prints, online for a price of USD 200,000.

 

A portfolio of four hand pulled limited edition screenprints
Riddle Me This, A Panel of Experts, Piano Lesson, and Flash In Naples (1982-87/2022)
40 x 40 inches, each · Edition of 85

Stamped and signed by Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, the artist’s sisters and administrators of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

 

Flash in Naples

The portfolio, in an edition of 85, is curated from works created between 1982-87, themed around the influence of comics in Basquiat’s work. The artist’s renditions of super hero images and pop culture icons appear throughout the works, including a bat logo, two characters fist-fighting, and a super hero-like figure accompanied by the word “KRAK” (in classic comic book onomatopoeic style). Such images and themes are repeated throughout his œuvre.

A Panel of Experts

 

Riddle Me This

 

As a young child Basquiat had aspired to be a cartoonist and incorporated cartoon-like figures in some of his early drawings. The mature works in this portfolio are prime examples of this influence, also containing several archetypal Basquiat stylistic concepts: the organization of seemingly disparate ideas, the sequencing of images, concepts and texts, deep interest in art and popular culture, and the creation of slogans, repeated and crossed out text and enigmatic references to strength and power. The posthumous release is stamped and signed by Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, the artist’s sisters and administrators of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

 

Piano Lesson

Estate Prints Portfolio IV, 2019


Wolf Sausage, King Brand, Dog Leg Study,
and Undiscovered Genius

 

Jean-Michel Basquiat Estate Prints Portfolio IV
Year: 1982-1983/2019
Medium: Screen-print in colors on Somerset Satin paper
Size: 22×30 inches (56 x 76.4 cm)
Edition: 50
Artist’s Proofs: 20
Other: 15 Hors Commerce (HC), 5 Printer’s Proofs (PP), and 1 BAT
Publisher: Flatiron Editions, New-York, 2017

All prints are signed and dated by Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux (Administrators of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat) in pencil with the Estate stamp on the reverse.

 

Boxer Rebellion, 2018


 

In September 2018, The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat announced the release of a new 18-color Basquiat screen-print titled “Boxer Rebellion” (1982-83 / 2018), published by Flatiron Editions. The edition of 60 was available exclusively through Pace Prints at a release price of USD 35,000.

 

 

Boxer Rebellion
Year: 1982-1983/2018
Medium: 18 color screen-print on Rives BFK paper
Size: 60×45 inches (153 x 115.7 cm)
Edition: 60
Artist’s Proofs: 20
Other: 5 Printer’s Proofs (PP), and 1 BAT
Publisher: Flatiron Editions, New-York, 2018

Each screen-print is stamped and signed by Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, the artist’s sisters and administrators of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Estate Prints Portfolio III, 2017


Ascent, Olympic, Leeches, and Liberty

 

Jean-Michel Basquiat Estate Prints Portfolio III
Year: 1982-1983/2017
Medium: Screen-print in colors on Somerset Satin paper
Size: 22×30 inches (56 x 76.4 cm)
Edition: 50
Artist’s Proofs: 20
Other: 15 Hors Commerce (HC), 5 Printer’s Proofs (PP), and 1 BAT
Publisher: Flatiron Editions, New-York, 2017

All prints are signed and dated by Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux (Administrators of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat) in pencil with the Estate stamp on the reverse.

 

Flexible, June 2016


 

On 2 June 2016, The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat announced the release of a new 24-color Basquiat screen-print titled Flexible (1984/2016), published by Flatiron Editions. The edition of 85 was available exclusively through Pace Prints. The edition was released at a price of USD 40,000, with tiered pricing.

 

Flexible
Year: 1984/2016
Medium: 24 color screen-print on 4-ply Museum Board
Size: 60×45 inches (153 x 115.7 cm)
Edition: 85
Artist’s Proofs: XX
Other: XX Hors Commerce (HC), X Printer’s Proofs (PP), and 1 BAT
Publisher: Flatiron Editions, New-York, 2015

Each screen-print is stamped and signed by Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, the artist’s sisters and administrators of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

 

Hollywood Africans, 2015


 

The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat announced the release of a new Basquiat screen-print, Hollywood Africans in front of the Chinese Theater with Footprints of Movie Stars, published by Flatiron Editions on October 2005. The release marked the first edition authorized by the estate since 2005. It was available exclusively through Pace Prints. Orders were accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

 

 

Hollywood Africans in front of the Chinese Theater with Footprints of Movie Stars
Year: 1983/2015
Medium: 23 color screen-print on 4-ply Museum Board
Size: 38 1/2 x 84 inches (155×122 cm)
Edition: 60
Artist’s Proofs: XX
Other: XX Hors Commerce (HC), X Printer’s Proofs (PP), and 1 BAT
Publisher: Flatiron Editions, New-York, 2015

 

Each screen-print is stamped and signed by Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, the artist’s sisters and administrators of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Estate Prints Portfolio II, 2005


Charles The First, Rome Pays Off, Cabeza, Jawbone of an Ass

 

 

Jean-Michel Basquiat Estate Prints Portfolio II
Year: 1982-1984/2005
Medium: 21 color screen-print on Saunders 410 Hot Press watercolor paper
Size: Various sizes, the largest 61×48 inches (155×122 cm)
Edition: 85
Artist’s Proofs: 15
Other: 15 Hors Commerce (HC), 5 Printer’s Proofs (PP), and 1 BAT
Publisher: David DeSanctis Contomporaru Art, Los Angeles, 2005

 

This Portfolio was released in an edition of 85 prints, and 15 Artist’s Proofs. They are each signed and dated in pencil on the verso by Gerard Basquiat, the administrator of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, as well as the stamps of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, and DeSanctis Carr Fine Art.

 

Estate Prints Portfolio I, 2001


Head, Per Capita, Ernok, Rinso

 

 

Jean-Michel Basquiat Estate Prints Portfolio I
Year: 1982/2001
Medium: 21 color screen-print on Saunders 410 Hot Press watercolor paper
Size: 40 x40 inches (101.6 x 101.6 cm)
Edition: 85
Artist’s Proofs: 15
Other: 15 Hors Commerce (HC), 5 Printer’s Proofs (PP), and 1 BAT
Publisher: DeSanctis Carr Fine Art, Los Angeles, 2001

 

This Portfolio was released in an edition of 85 prints, and 15 Artist’s Proofs. They are each signed and dated in pencil on the verso by Gerard Basquiat, the administrator of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, as well as the stamps of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, and DeSanctis Carr Fine Art.