Jean-Michel Basquiat American Acrylic on Canvas

Updated August 24, 2026

Artwork Title: King Samo Technique: Acrylic on canvas with exposed wood supports Measures: 32 × 32 inches (81.3 × 81.3 cm) Year: 1995, based on the visible “95” inscription Condition: Good overall condition. The painted surface presents vivid color saturation, energetic gestural brushwork, layered pigment, handwritten text, and expressive linear elements throughout. Areas of exposed wood support form part of the presentation. Minor surface irregularities and handling wear may be present. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition description. Provenance: Private collection, New York. Visual Description: A bold Neo-Expressionist composition dominated by a large mask-like black head set against an intense turquoise ground. Smaller mask and skull-like figures, fragmented text, symbols, gestural marks, and repeated inscriptions populate the surrounding surface. Red, orange, white, black, and turquoise create strong contrasts throughout. Visible words and phrases include “KING,” “SAMO,” and “BACK,” contributing to the work's graffiti-inspired urban character. COLLECTOR'S NOTE: This hand-created artwork offers collectors an opportunity to enjoy the visual language, technique, composition, and artistic characteristics associated with the named artist at a substantially more accessible price point than authenticated works by that artist, which may command significantly higher prices in the established fine-art market. Offered “in the style of” the named artist, the work should be appreciated and valued on its own merits as a hand-created piece inspired by an important artistic tradition. It provides an accessible way to acquire a visually compelling artwork reflecting the aesthetic qualities associated with a celebrated artist without the price expectations attached to an authenticated work. Important Info: This artwork is uncatalogued and unauthenticated and has not been authenticated or approved by the named artist, their estate, foundation, catalogue raisonné committee, or other recognized authority. It is offered “in the style of” the named artist, a cataloging opinion describing stylistic characteristics and not a representation of authorship or authenticity. Any provenance reflects information accompanying the artwork when received and is not a certificate of authenticity. Any signature, inscription, stamp, date, or other marking should not be considered authentication. Estimaedt value: Any estimate represents the auction house’s good-faith opinion of the potential secondary-market value of the property based on factors such as medium, size, condition, subject, provenance information, visual characteristics, and comparable uncatalogued and unauthenticated works. Estimates are not based on the value of authenticated works by the named artist and are not appraisals, guarantees of value, or predictions of the final selling price.

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