Anatomy
18 works
Jean-Michel Basquiat Untitled 1 (from Leonardo) For Sale
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Untitled 1 (from Leonardo), 1983
Screen prints on Okawara paper
34 3/4 x 30 in 88.3 x 76.2 cm
Edition
Edition of 45 plus 4 AP
About this work
Basquiat’s Untitled (from Leonardo) offers a mesmerizing contemplation of Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical studies during the High Renaissance. Bridging seriousness and humor, immediate expression and historical context, as well as combining drawing and silkscreen, Basquiat presents a captivating series of five prints using an unconventional method. The edition's gallerist and publisher, Fred Hoffman, recollects the creation process:Untitled (from Leonardo) came about under rather distinctive and insightful circumstances. While collaborating with Basquiat, I spent substantial time in the artist's studio, often observing him paint through the night. During this period, I discovered Basquiat's fascination with the works of Leonardo da Vinci. As a recent Ph.D. graduate in Art History, I knew Jean-Michel would appreciate perusing some of my collected books on Leonardo. After placing a few of these books in his studio, Basquiat expressed his interest in creating a print inspired by Leonardo's work. After discussing this idea, we agreed he would sketch on clear acetates, transferring these images to silkscreen via photography and printing on his choice of paper. Subsequently, I provided several acetate sheets to the artist.Around a week later, I noticed the acetates scattered across the studio floor, integrated with drawing sheets, photocopies, paints, oilsticks, and assorted studio paraphernalia. I offered to reposition the acetates back onto the wall upon seeing their state, but Basquiat insisted they remain as they were. While I found it curious, recognizing Basquiat’s strong sense of direction, I trusted he had a well-conceived plan in mind. Another week passed, and Basquiat announced the acetates, once again tacked onto the wall, were ready for printing. He had not only drawn on the acetates but also incorporated their experiences on the studio floor into the completed images. Basquiat's selection of a beautiful Japanese rice paper to present his imagery was influenced by his desire to further contextualize them with the Italian master’s drawings. Unexpectedly, the accidental marks from the studio floor not only complemented Basquiat’s drawings but also imparted an aged 'patina' to the works—seemingly as old as the sources they referenced."
Price on Application
Auction History
Untitled · Jean-Michel Basquiat · Sotheby's · 2022-11 · $3,680,000
UNTITLED · Jean-Michel Basquiat · Sotheby's · 2020-06 · $2,900,000
Untitled · Jean-Michel Basquiat · Christie's · 2018-11 · $2,532,500
UNTITLED · Jean-Michel Basquiat · Sotheby's · 2013-03 · $1,426,500
Untitled (from Tuxedo) · Jean-Michel Basquiat · Phillips · 2025-05 · $342,900
More from this series
More series by Jean-Michel Basquiat
About the Untitled (From Leonardo) Series
Untitled (From Leonardo) Series, 1983
In 1983, at the apex of his meteoric rise, Jean-Michel Basquiat created the remarkable "From Leonardo" series—a confrontational dialogue between Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci and contemporary urban expression. This body of work represents Basquiat at his most intellectually ambitious, directly engaging with Western art historical canon while simultaneously deconstructing its authority. The series comprises seven works including Untitled 1-4 (from Leonardo), Academic Study of the Male Figure, Leg of a Dog, and Untitled (from Leonardo), each demonstrating the artist's sophisticated understanding of both classical technique and post-modern critique.
Basquiat's reinterpretation of da Vinci's anatomical studies showcases his characteristic fusion of high and low culture, combining gestural abstraction, text fragments, and primitive mark-making with deliberate nods to Renaissance draftsmanship. The series particularly references Leonardo's legendary anatomical drawings, transforming precise scientific observation into raw, visceral commentary on the body, power, and artistic legacy. Works like Academic Study of the Male Figure simultaneously honor and subvert traditional life drawing conventions, while pieces such as Leg of a Dog reveal Basquiat's ability to find revolutionary potential in Leonardo's lesser-studied sketches. This intellectual rigor, combined with Basquiat's explosive visual language, positions the series as a pivotal achievement within his abbreviated but profoundly influential career.
From a market perspective, the "From Leonardo" series represents exceptional collecting opportunities within Basquiat's oeuvre. Works from 1983—Basquiat's most critically acclaimed period—continue to achieve record prices at auction, with thematic series commanding particular premium due to their contextual significance and relative scarcity. The art historical importance of Basquiat directly engaging with Renaissance masters adds substantial scholarly and investment value, as these works demonstrate the artist's deliberate positioning within the continuum of Western art history. For collectors seeking museum-quality Basquiat works with impeccable provenance and intellectual gravitas, the "From Leonardo" series offers unparalleled combination of artistic achievement and enduring market strength.
Guy Hepner | Contemporary Art Gallery
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.