Untitled (Fishing)

Untitled is a painting created by American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) in 1981. The artwork, which depicts a fisherman displaying his catch hanging at the end of a line, sold for $26.4 million at Christie's in November 2012.[1]

Untitled
ArtistJean-Michel Basquiat
Year1981
MediumOilstick, acrylic and spray enamel on canvas
MovementNeo-expressionism
Dimensions198.1 cm × 172.7 cm (78.0 in × 68.0 in)

History

Jean-Michel Basquiat painted Untitled in 1981, a pivotal year when he transitioned from street artist into the adulation of the New York art scene. He worked in the basement of Annina Nosei's gallery in SoHo where Untitled was executed. The artwork depicts a fisherman wearing a crown of thorns and a halo of the same nature. He is standing at the center of the canvas proudly displays his catch, a large fish hanging at the end of a fishing rod. His black body reveals a white skeletal figure.

The painting had previously been auctioned in 1988, a few months after Basquiat's death, and sold for $110,000.[2] Sold by fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier in 2012, it was anticipated to break records before its auction in 2012.[3][4] Loic Gouzer, international specialist of post-war and contemporary art at Christie's said in a statement: "In contrast to most artists, Basquiat created his best paintings at the beginning of his career. Untitled 1981 unites all the elements of energy, freedom and boldness that one looks for in Basquiat. The market has been waiting a long time for a work of this caliber and freshness, therefore we expect it to set a new record for Basquiat, an artist who is in the process of being recognized as a classic of Post-War American Art alongside Warhol, De Kooning and Pollock."[2] The painting lived up to the pre-sale hype, selling for $26.4 million in November 2012.[5] The sale exceeded Basquiat's previous record of $20.1 million for another Untitled (1981) sold in June 2012.[6] That record has since been surpassed by multiple other paintings. His current record high at auction is Untitled (1982), which sold for $110.5 million at Sotheby's in May 2017.[7]

Exhibitions

The painting has been exhibited at the following art institutions:

See also

References
  1. "Records set for Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons". CBC News. November 15, 2012. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  2. "Basquiat artwork could set new record for artist Nov. 14 at Christie's". Auction Central News. September 19, 2012. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  3. Lindemann, Charlotte; Russeth, Andrew (September 18, 2012). "Today's Catch: Christie's Nabs $20 M. Basquiat for November Sale". Observer. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  4. "Basquiat poised to set record at New York art auction". The Independent. September 19, 2016. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  5. "Christie's Post-War and Contemporary Art Week Totals Record $525 Million". ArtfixDaily. November 18, 2012. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  6. "Basquiat Sells for $20.1 M., a New Auction Record, in London". Observer. June 27, 2012. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  7. Pogrebin, Robin; Reyburn, Scott (May 18, 2017). "A Basquiat Sells for 'Mind-Blowing' $110.5 Million at Auction". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  8. "Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), Untitled". Christie's. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  9. "Jean-Michel Basquiat at Fondation Beyeler". www.artforum.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  10. "Basquiat". Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
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