25/10/2024
Basquiat lovers, read below ⬇️⬇️
Available now is a full set of artist proofs by the legendary artist.
This series, Untitled (from Leonardo), 1983, comprises five works and holds a place in the permanent collection of MoMA - no big deal.
These works aren’t just a tribute to da Vinci, they’re Basquiat at his finest, riffing off the High Renaissance with his trademark blend of chaos and genius. Inspired by Leonardo’s anatomical studies, they fuse history and humour, spontaneity and intention. Fred Hoffman, the gallerist behind the project, recalls the unconventional creation process.
While collaborating, Hoffman introduced Basquiat to books on da Vinci, sparking an idea. Basquiat sketched on acetate sheets, which, in typical Basquiat fashion, ended up scattered across his studio floor, surrounded by paints, oil sticks, and other debris. Hoffman, being the art historian, offered to tidy up the acetates, but Basquiat insisted they stay put—letting the studio’s accidental marks do their work. And they did.
When it came time to print, the acetates carried with them an unintended “patina,” adding an aged, lived-in feel to the modern imagery. Presented on Japanese rice paper, the works bridge centuries, where Basquiat’s raw, expressive lines meet Leonardo’s precision. The result? A series that feels as timeless as it does urgent, with Basquiat blending the past and present in ways only he could.
🔗 Tap the link in our bio to find out more.
