Description

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s legacy remains as powerful as ever. A defining figure of 1980s New York, he first emerged in the late 1970s under the pseudonym SAMO, using graffiti to spray sharp commentary and fragmented poetry across the city’s walls. He was a key part of a vibrant underground movement that blended visual arts and graffiti with hip-hop, post-punk, and independent filmmaking, all against the backdrop of a flourishing art scene. With a distinctive artistic voice, Basquiat quickly gained recognition, securing exhibitions in galleries worldwide.

Basquiat’s dynamic style combined raw, expressive figures with words and phrases, drawing inspiration from jazz, boxing, and basketball, as well as obscure historical references and the realities of street life. When asked about the themes in his work, he famously replied, “royalty, heroism, and the streets.” In 1983, he began collaborating with Andy Warhol, one of the most renowned artists of the time, and by 1985, he had appeared on the cover of *The New York Times Magazine.* By the time of his passing at just 27, Basquiat had become one of his generation’s most celebrated artists.

Originally published in an XXL edition, this remarkable exploration of Basquiat’s work is now available in a more compact and accessible volume to mark TASCHEN’s 40th anniversary. Featuring high-quality reproductions of his most important paintings, drawings, and notebook sketches, this book brings readers closer to the intricate details of his artistry. It includes an introduction by editor Hans Werner Holzwarth and an insightful essay on Basquiat’s themes and artistic evolution by curator and art historian Eleanor Nairne. Year-by-year chapter breaks highlight key moments in his life, incorporating quotes from the artist himself and contemporary reviews, offering both personal insight and historical context.

About the series
TASCHEN celebrates 40 years! Since its founding in 1980, TASCHEN has been dedicated to making art and culture accessible to a wide audience, helping readers build their own collections of books on art, anthropology, and more—all at an unbeatable value. The 40 series marks this milestone with new editions of some of our most beloved books, now in a more compact format, affordably priced, and produced with the same high standards of quality and design.