Anatomy
18 works
Jean-Michel Basquiat View of Base of Skull, from Anatomy For Sale
Jean-Michel Basquiat
View of Base of Skull, from Anatomy, 1982
Screen print
30 x 22 1/4 in 76.2 x 56.5 cm
Edition
Edition of 18 plus 7 AP numbered in Roman Numerals
About this work
This striking screen print presents Basquiat's characteristic fusion of anatomical study and raw gestural power. The composition centers on a skeletal view of the skull's base, rendered in bold black lines against a cream background with passages of vibrant color. Basquiat's distinctive hand-drawn quality remains evident despite the print medium, with energetic marks and text fragments creating a dynamic tension between scientific illustration and street art aesthetics. The work comes from his celebrated Anatomy series, where he transformed medical imagery into powerful statements about mortality and the human condition. Created during Basquiat's meteoric rise in the early 1980s New York art scene, this screen print represents a pivotal moment when the artist was exploring themes of death, identity, and the body's interior landscape. The Anatomy series remains highly sought after by collectors, offering accessible entry into Basquiat's revolutionary vision that bridged graffiti culture, neo-expressionism, and contemporary art. This work exemplifies his ability to transform clinical subject matter into visceral, emotionally charged imagery. Available for purchase — enquire for price and availability.
Price on Application
Auction History
· Jean-Michel Basquiat · Sotheby's · 2017-05 · $110,487,500
· Jean-Michel Basquiat · Sotheby's · 2016-02 · $8,334,345
· Jean-Michel Basquiat · Sotheby's · 2014-05 · $4,197,000
More series by Jean-Michel Basquiat
About the Prints Series
Explore our curated collection of Jean-Michel Basquiat prints, featuring iconic works from the legendary Neo-Expressionist artist. This series showcases Basquiat's distinctive visual language, including seminal pieces such as View of Base of Skull, from Anatomy, which exemplifies his revolutionary approach to combining figuration, text, and abstraction.
Created during his most prolific period in the 1980s, these prints capture the raw energy and intellectual depth that established Basquiat as a pivotal figure in contemporary art history. Each work reflects his fascination with anatomy, symbolism, and urban culture, rendered through dynamic mark-making and layered imagery.
Basquiat's prints remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide, offering accessibility to his powerful artistic vision while maintaining significant investment potential. Whether you're building a contemporary art collection or seeking a statement piece, these works deliver both aesthetic impact and cultural significance.
Browse our available Basquiat prints or enquire for additional works and edition details.
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.