Jean-Michel Basquiat was a leading figure of the Neo-Expressionist movement and one of the artists that defined the New York art scene in the 1980s. A reaction to the conceptual and minimalist artwork of previous decades, Neo-Expressionism was a resurgence of the Expressionist art style emphasizing figurative painting, vibrant colors, and dramatic, often raw, emotional content. Basquiat’s art style is known for its bold, graffiti-like aesthetic, striking imagery, and powerful social commentary, with one of his most recognizable motifs being the crown symbol.
About Jean-Michel Basquiat
Born in the 1960s Brooklyn to a Haitian father and Puerto Rican mother, Basquiat was exposed to a blend of cultures and benefited from New York's vibrant art scene since a young age. Basquiat left home as a teenager and by the 1970s, he became known for graffiti and became highly involved in art spaces. He also held his first exhibition in 1982 which quickly triggered his fame.
This complex upbringing undoubtedly shaped Basquiat’s artistic voice. Basquiat melded his Caribbean diasporic roots with the rawness of 1980s New York City, incorporating text, imagery, figures, and urban motifs. In addition, Basquiat utilized his assertive painting style and appropriated icons to reclaim his multifaceted identity while commenting on the power structure he witnessed from the margins of society.
What Basquiat’s Crown Motif Means
Basquiat’s crown motif carried deep significance beyond mere artistic embellishment. On one level, it represented authority, status, and grandeur. While Basquiat employed the crown to imbue his subjects with a regal bearing, he also used it to explore deeper themes. “We still have to come to terms with the nuanced, clever, and deeply political subject matter which is at the heart of Basquiat's work and has been obscured by his market success,” says Ágnes Berecz, Faculty of MA Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s Institute of Art.
Basquiat frequently paired the crown motif with depictions of human heads or skulls. This juxtaposition allowed Basquiat to explore contrasts - the crowns representing elevated status and power, while the bare skulls symbolizing mortality and deeper thought. In pieces like King Alphonso, the oversized crown placed above the subject's head emphasizes the importance of intellect over physical ability. Some also believe the striking size of the crown alludes to the artist’s awareness of his destiny for greatness. The crown embodies layered meanings about Basquiat’s identity and disruption of the status quo and has become one of the most lasting symbols of his works.
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Charles the First
In Charles the First, Basquiat honors jazz musician Charlie Parker, elevating him to royal status with the crown. This piece not only celebrates Parker's contributions to music but also critiques the marginalization of Black artists. The crown serves as a symbol of Basquiat's admiration for Parker and his own assertion of intellectual authority, embodying his complex views on fame and recognition.
Pez Dispenser
In Pez Dispenser, Basquiat explores popular culture and childhood memories by depicting a crowned dinosaur. The title refers to the US candy company Pez, famous for its character-themed plastic dispensers. By placing a crown above the dinosaur’s head, Basquiat symbolically links consumer culture with class oppression and social inequality. This artwork also showcases his talent for combining playful imagery with profound commentary on societal structures.
Untitled (Crown)
Untitled (Crown) is an example of one of Basquiat’s most famous works featuring the crown motif. The painting depicts a three-pointed crown in bold black lines against a collage of sketches and writing on torn out notepaper. Here, the crown motif portrayed Basquiat’s ambition to be considered one of the greatest artists of his time, highlighting his identity as a black artist and challenging societal norms.
Major Sales of Basquiat’s Crown Artworks
Basquiat's groundbreaking crown artworks have commanded staggering prices at auction over the years. One notable sale is his Untitled (1981) at Christie’s in May 2014. This piece is one of Basquiat's early works that prominently features his crown motif. The painting, which includes a figure with a three-pointed crown, was sold for an impressive $34.9 million at Christie's. Another significant sale was Untitled (1982), which was sold at Christie's in 2013 for a remarkable $29.3 million. Both sales not only underscore the high market value of Basquiat’s artworks but also highlight the reverence of the crown motif.
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