Anatomy
18 works
Jean-Michel Basquiat Untitled (Head), from Portfolio I For Sale
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Untitled (Head), from Portfolio I, 1983-2001
Screen print
40 x 40 in 101.6 x 101.6 cm
Edition
Edition of 85 plus 15 AP
About this work
Portfolio I captures the essence of Jean-Michel Basquiat as an aesthetic pioneer and a critically aware artist. Basquiat synthesized his urban and Afro-Caribbean influences, and his Neo-Expressionist style to create works not typically shown in fine art spaces. The four images chosen for Portfolio I not only encapsulate his iconic handling of paint but are emblematic of his ability to epitomize the tenor of modern society. This set of four prints was published by the Jean-Michel Basquiat estate under the guidance of his father Gerard, who signed each print on the reverse.In his bold and colorful style, Basquiat reintroduced elements absent from the minimalist and abstract work of his predecessors, like the human figure. An early interest in the human form, and a gifted copy of Grey’s Anatomy, sparked and fueled the repeated presence of skulls, and disembodied parts in many of Basquiat’s compositions. Ernok features a man with an x-ray view of veins in a transparent right hand. He too seems surprised by the state of his hand, blurring the usually firm line between the internal and the external self. Basquiat initiates the viewer in a questioning of the body by making an internal process visible. This close examination of the body reflects how the artist and others like him were made to consider themselves, physically and otherwise, in society. Basquiat’s revelation confronts the day-to-day experience of those othered by society.Per Capita embodies both the composite technique and layers of meaning that make the artist's work captivating and culturally relevant. Referencing the 1981 painting also known as Untitled Per Capita the print contains elusive layers of imagery, which compel the viewer to look to his other works for synthesis and clarity. A commonly reappearing symbol in Basquiat’s work, the three-pointed crown occupies a central place amidst layers of painted-over drawings of religious symbols. Basquiat often used crowns or more abstract halos to mark the majesty of his artistic influences and personal heroes, many of whom were African American athletes and artists. Elevating black culture creators in ways they were not typically depicted in Western culture, Basquiat paid homage to their achievements and placed himself in their company by crowning himself as their successor. In the context of Per Capita, the crown is placed prominently over the boldly inscribed word “Asbestos,” which Basquiat used in several works as a symbol of corporate greed and the prioritization of capital over human health. The position of the crown in combination with the title Per Capita suggests the triumph of individuals over the evils of society. One could read this positive message as an affirmation of Basquiat’s belief in the ability of people to achieve influence despite their circumstances, as he did in the art world.One of Basquiat’s most recognizable images, Untitled (Head) is rendered in the artist’s signature bold colors contrasted against a flat black background, the rounded white stretches are evocative of skull bones, while red and brown demarcate key facial features. Despite the ghoulish qualities of the skull, the head is expressive and vibrant, and the eyes are alert. The viewer cannot help but question Basquiat’s intention when confronted with this juxtaposition. The composite imagery of the skull within the articulated face plays to Basquiat’s complex understanding of the relationship between the inner self and the perception of the outer world. By presenting his difficult personal experiences, like racism, isolation, and drug addiction, Basquiat exposed the public to his innermost feelings and addressed universal struggles.Beyond the struggle of the personal and the public, Basquiat brought attention to broadly encompassing issues of race and class. He was a poignant critic of materialistic culture, using layers of text and images to evoke the impact of advertisements. In Rinso Basquiat’s sporadic language and inflated imagery read as a dark infomercial, combining the enthusiastic language of advertisement with the insidious implication that the product is a tool of anti-blackness. Although the language is disjointed and sporadic, the composite pictures communicate a complex history of racism in advertisement. Basquiat’s suggestive language and imagery bring issues of race and commodification to the fore and confront audiences with systems in which they passively participate.
Price on Application
Auction History
Cabeza, from portfolio II · Jean-Michel Basquiat · Seoul Auction · 2017-03 · $420,000
Portfolio II, 1982 - · Jean-Michel Basquiat · Phillips · 2014-06 · $108,264
Cabeza, from Portfolio II · Jean-Michel Basquiat · Phillips · 2016-04 · $56,250
More from this series
More series by Jean-Michel Basquiat
About the Portfolio I Series
Portfolio I Series by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Portfolio I stands as one of Jean-Michel Basquiat's most significant posthumous print editions, created from 1983-2001 and representing a crucial bridge between the artist's raw creative vision and fine art printmaking. This seminal series captures Basquiat at the height of his powers, translating his iconic visual language—crowned heads, cryptic text, and skeletal figures—into screenprints that retain the urgent, confrontational energy of his original works. The portfolio includes five powerful compositions: two iterations of Untitled (Head), Per Capita, Ernok, and dual versions of Rinso, each demonstrating the artist's masterful synthesis of neo-expressionism, street art aesthetics, and social commentary.
The technical execution of Portfolio I showcases Basquiat's distinctive approach to mark-making and symbolic representation. These screenprints preserve the artist's characteristic gestural lines, fragmented anatomy, and integration of text as visual element—techniques that revolutionized contemporary art in the 1980s. Works like Ernok and Per Capita exemplify his commentary on race, power, and capitalism, while the Rinso and Untitled (Head) pieces demonstrate his exploration of identity, mortality, and the Black experience in America. The layered compositions, bold color palettes, and deliberate crude execution reflect Basquiat's rejection of traditional artistic refinement in favor of raw, unfiltered expression.
From a market perspective, Portfolio I occupies a significant position within Basquiat's print oeuvre, offering collectors access to his vision at a more accessible entry point than original paintings while maintaining substantial investment potential. As Basquiat's auction records continue their upward trajectory—with paintings regularly achieving nine-figure sums—authenticated prints from authorized estates and publishers have seen corresponding appreciation. The limited nature of these editions, combined with Basquiat's enduring cultural influence and museum representation worldwide, positions Portfolio I as both an important historical document and a sound acquisition for sophisticated collectors building comprehensive holdings in post-war and contemporary art.
Portfolio I available through Guy Hepner.
About Jean-Michel Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat prints for sale at Guy Hepner include works from the Estate editions: Portfolio I, Portfolio II, the Anatomy series, Daros Suite, Superhero Portfolio, and Figures Portfolio. Basquiat original art for sale and Basquiat paintings for sale through our New York gallery are authenticated with full Estate provenance and catalogue documentation.
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) remains one of the most powerful and sought-after artists in the history of contemporary art. A self-taught Neo-Expressionist who rose from the streets of Brooklyn to the highest echelons of the international art world, Basquiat's work commands extraordinary prices at auction and continues to attract serious collectors worldwide.
Jean-Michel Basquiat Paintings For Sale
Basquiat paintings for sale represent some of the most coveted works on the secondary market. His large-scale canvases — raw, urgent, and densely layered with text, symbols, and anatomical imagery — sell for tens of millions of dollars at the world's leading auction houses. The benchmark for Basquiat original art was set in May 2017 when Untitled (1982), depicting a skull-like head in yellow, red, and black, sold for $110.5 million at Sotheby's New York, making it the sixth-highest price ever achieved for an American artist at that time.
At Guy Hepner, Basquiat art for sale includes a curated selection of works on paper, rare prints, and portfolios from The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Basquiat Prints For Sale
Basquiat prints represent a more accessible entry point for collectors who want to buy Basquiat without competing at major auction. His limited-edition screenprints and lithographs — produced in collaboration with publishers during his lifetime and authorised posthumously by The Estate — retain strong value and are actively traded on the secondary market.
Among the most collected Basquiat print series available at Guy Hepner:
- Daros Suite — a landmark body of works on paper that documented Basquiat's mature Neo-Expressionist language
- Anatomy series — visceral explorations of the Black body, medicine, and power
- Portfolio I & II — seminal print portfolios featuring signature motifs including crowns, SAMO© tags, and anatomical diagrams
- Superhero Portfolio — bold, iconic images that recast Black figures as mythological heroes
- Figures Portfolio — expressive figure studies that trace Basquiat's gestural line from street art to fine art
- 50 Cent Piece — a graphic, politically charged print emblematic of Basquiat's engagement with race, value, and American currency
Basquiat: What to Collect
For new collectors approaching Basquiat art for sale, prints and works on paper offer the strongest combination of accessibility and long-term value. Auction data shows consistent demand across all price tiers, with rare portfolios and artist-proof editions commanding significant premiums over standard editions.
Collectors who buy Basquiat should prioritise:
- Provenance — documented chain of ownership back to The Estate or original publisher
- Edition size — smaller editions and unique works on paper carry greater scarcity value
- Condition — works in fresh condition with original framing or storage documentation
- Series significance — iconic motifs (crowns, skulls, SAMO, anatomical text) consistently outperform peripheral works
Basquiat original art in any medium is a long-term store of cultural and financial value. His place in the canon of twentieth-century art is unassailable, and institutional demand for major works continues to grow.
Basquiat Crown Symbol
The crown is Jean-Michel Basquiat's most enduring symbol — appearing in over 100 of his paintings and prints as a mark of royalty, genius, and cultural reclamation. Basquiat crowns appear across his most celebrated works: the Three-Pointed Crown motif from Untitled (Crown), Charles the First, Hollywood Africans, and the Daros Suite. When collectors search for Basquiat crown prints for sale, these estate-stamped editions — particularly the Portfolio I and II series — are the closest available equivalents to his painted crown imagery.
Basquiat Authentication
All Basquiat art for sale at Guy Hepner has been reviewed for provenance and authenticity. The primary authentication body for Basquiat's estate is The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, which manages the artist's legacy and provides authentication services for works of sufficient documentation.
Collectors seeking to buy Basquiat prints or works on paper should always request a full provenance record, certificate of authenticity, and condition report. Guy Hepner provides all documentation with every sale and can assist collectors in navigating The Estate's authentication process for significant acquisitions.