Jean-Michel Basquiat

by Jean-Michel Basquiat (Artist), Luca Marenzi (Contributor)

Providing a serious and generous overview of Basquiat's career, this monograph will please novice and fan alike, with its high-quality illustrations, including 50 works on canvas, 40 works on paper, two sculptures and 18 collaborations (15 with Andy Warhol).

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published July 2, 1999

About the author

Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist. He gained popularity, first as a graffiti artist in New York City, and then as a successful 1980s-era Neo-expressionist artist. Basquiat's paintings continue to influence modern day artists and command high prices.

Reviews

[Jamil · Rating 3 out of 5]

bullshit aside ("Jean-Michel Basquiat is the only black American painter to have made a substantial mark on the history of art."), this volume has some nice repros & drew my attention to some paintings I've either ignored or never seen.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of works by Jean-Michel Basquiat was prepared for an exhibition of the painter's works at the Museo Revoltella in Trieste in 1999.

The paintings are presented in a nicely large size, better than the paperback Basquiat books that are easier to find, and the colours are vivid. In addition to the works, the book also contains a great deal of textual material, presented in English and Italian translation. Retrospective essays are provided by Keith Haring, Francisco Clemente, and Keith Haring, and Basquiat's major supporter Bruno Bischofberger contributes a fascinating reflection on the painter's collaborations with Clemente and Warhol. There are also four interviews that allow Basquiat to speak in his own words.

My only real complaints about the word are that the typesetting is poor, with the text difficult to read, and my own favourite work of Basquiat, "Pegasus" was not included. Still, if you are a fan of one of America's greatest painters, this collection is worth a look.

[Evad]

An interesting and informative look at the life and work of the famous graffiti artist turned neo-expressionist. The reproductions in this book are beautiful, capturing the texture as well as the color used by Basquiat.

[Chris]

This has a couple essays and (The best part)some printed interviews with Basquiat. It also prints images through the gutter of the book, for the life of me, i cant figure out why publishers think that's a good idea.

[chandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an Italian published book that I still HATE because it is hard to cite and the essays are bogus. It gets a star because it is transcripts of interviews, which are necessary.

[Ryan]

one of my favorite artists

[Pan Ellington · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid overview of basquiat's career & works. notable especially with interviews & essays by the artist's friends & contemporaries.

[Philip E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect introduction into the interesting life of an unordinary man.

[Digi M]

Good sized Basquiat for your pocket

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

Includes an amazing collection of Basquiat/Warhol collaborations