
Anatomy
18 works

Untitled (Black Fool), 1983
Pencil & colored pencil on paper (Signed on Verso)
4 3/4 x 16 3/4 inches (paper) | Frame: 23 1/2 x 25 1/2 inches
Jean-Michel Basquiat remains one of the most influential and sought-after artists of the late twentieth century, his works commanding exceptional prices at auction and holding positions in the world's most prestigious museum collections. Rising from the New York street art scene to international acclaim before his untimely death in 1988, Basquiat created a visual language that merged text, symbolism, and raw figuration to address themes of race, identity, power, and mortality. Untitled (Black Fool) from 1983 exemplifies the artist's distinctive approach to works on paper, a medium he returned to throughout his career with remarkable intensity. Executed in pencil and colored pencil, this drawing demonstrates Basquiat's characteristic economy of line and his ability to convey profound meaning through seemingly spontaneous gesture. The intimate scale of the work belies its conceptual weight, with the title itself suggesting the artist's ongoing engagement with archetypes, marginalization, and the complexities of Black experience in America. The figure emerges with the directness and urgency that defined Basquiat's practice during this pivotal period, when his reputation was ascending rapidly on both sides of the Atlantic. Signed on verso, this unique work on paper offers collectors an opportunity to acquire an authenticated example from a year widely regarded as central to the artist's brief but prolific output. Works from 1983 represent Basquiat at the height of his creative powers, producing alongside collaborations with Andy Warhol and major gallery exhibitions. For further information regarding acquisition of this significant work by Jean-Michel Basquiat, please contact Guy Hepner.


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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.
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 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:
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:
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.
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.
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.