A Buyer’s Guide To Jean-Michel Basquiat

Collecting a Basquiat print offers a rare chance to own a piece of art history from one of contemporary art's most iconic figures. His celebrity status and untimely death have cemented his works as cultural milestones, with original pieces consistently fetching millions at marquee auctions. Basquiat's lifetime print production was minimal, making those rare prints highly coveted. Posthumously, his estate has released prints based on his most famous paintings, signed by the estate rather than the artist. This modern production method has reshaped the art market, proving that these estate-signed prints can still command significant market interest, selling for tens to hundreds of thousands.

As Basquiat's market presence remains strong and his influence on Contemporary art deepens, owning a Basquiat print allows collectors to be part of a legacy that consistently ranks at the top of the art market, offering both cultural significance and financial potential.

Basquiat Original Prints

When purchasing a Basquiat print, it's crucial to understand the distinction between signed (original) and unsigned prints, as well as their respective values. Like his originals, Basquiat's early prints often feature iconic symbols such as his three-pronged crown, scribbled text, and SAMO tags. Notable examples include 1983 prints Back Of The Neck, a large-scale print with hand-colouring, and Untitled, featuring white symbols on black. These prints are both signed on the reverse and were created in small editions of 24 and 10 respectively, making them extremely rare and valuable, ranging from £600,000 to £1 million. Due to their scarcity, these works rarely appear on the public market, with private acquisitions being more common–platforms like MyArtBroker can help source these prints outside of peak auction seasons via our live Trading Floor network.

Basquiat's only signed collection produced during his lifetime is the Anatomy series, which consists of 18 small prints on black Arches paper, showcasing anatomical and skeletal references accompanied by text. Complete sets are exceptionally rare due to varying appearances of individual prints with mismatched edition numbers. To learn more about Basquiat's fascination with anatomy, explore our comprehensive article.

Basquiat Estate Prints

In addition to lifetime prints, collectors are increasingly drawn to Basquiat's posthumous prints. Released by his estate, these prints are based on some of his most iconic paintings, allowing collectors to acquire works that reflect Basquiat’s legacy without the multi-million-pound price tags of his originals. For instance, Flexible was released as a posthumous print in 2016, offering a more affordable option compared to the original while still preserving Basquiat’s striking imagery. The highest-valued posthumous print, a special edition Flexible (HC), sold for £221,637 (with fees) at Sotheby’s Singapore in July 2023, highlighting the global demand for Basquiat's work. The original painting of Flexible (1984) fetched £33.5 million in 2018. Recent posthumous print sales have ranged from £40,000 to over £100,000, depending on rarity and market demand.

Whether choosing signed or posthumous prints, starting a Basquiat collection should begin with a piece that resonates with you. It's essential to choose a work that you love and are willing to hold onto for the long term. For detailed insights on Basquiat's estate operations and the release of posthumous prints, refer to our comprehensive Basquiat Seller’s Guide.

Basquiat's print market has steadily progressed over the past decade, likely influenced by key institutional exhibitions such as Basquiat: Boom For Real, the 2017 UK retrospective, and the recent Basquiat x Warhol collaborative exhibition at LVMH in Paris. The sustained prominence of Basquiat’s market is reinforced by his strong presence in marquee auction sales. In May 2024, his painting Untitled (ELMAR) (1982) led sales across Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Phillips. Though fluctuations in sales value and volume have occurred, overall Basquiat’s print market has seen a consistent rise, with yearly turnover exceeding £1 million since 2020. For more detailed insights, refer to our Basquiat Investment Guide.

Basquiat’s print works span a range of price points, with his highest-valued, signed prints being particularly rare and only occasionally appearing on the market. In 2018, 2020, and 2022, over 50% of Basquiat's market share by sales value was controlled by sales exceeding £700,000. These sales were driven by just one notable print, Untitled (1983), underscoring the infrequency with which it appears and the significant value it commands when it does.

In 2023, the price distribution of Basquiat’s prints has become more evenly spread across various price points, reflecting a larger volume of works entering the market. This shift suggests growing recognition among consignors and collectors of the strong performance and rising demand in Basquiat’s print market.

When examining price distribution by lots sold, there are alternating years of high sales volume, but a clear, gradual increase in the number of works entering the market Year-on-year (YoY). This can largely be attributed to the growing interest in Basquiat's posthumous print market since the release of Flexible in 2016. In 2023, five posthumous prints sold for under £50,000 at hammer, and 38% of Basquiat's print market–eight sales priced between £50,000 and £100,000–were posthumous prints, indicating rising volume and value for these works.

Basquiat's estate has released over 10 posthumous prints to date. With posthumous works trending in public auctions, the following pieces are on our watchlist for 2024, all signed by Gerhard Basquiat and unique in that they are not replicas of original paintings.

Ernok: Conceived in 1983 while Basquiat was still alive, but produced and signed by Gerhard in 2001, this print is distinguished by its non-replica status. It set a new record at a German auction in 2023, selling for £102,709, reflecting Basquiat's global appeal.

Rinso: Conceived in 1983 and produced in 2001, Rinso is notable for its non-painting origin and iconic use of Basquiat's black palette and symbols. After appearing multiple times upon its initial release, it resurfaced in February 2024, selling for £26,250.

Jawbone Of An Ass: Executed in 2004 this rare work was last auctioned in 2023. Valued between £50,000 to £80,000 by our AI indicator, it remains an intriguing market prospect.

When adding to your collection, it’s recommended to select a piece that resonates with you, especially since Basquiat’s posthumous prints are still relatively new to the market. While promising, we are closely monitoring their performance.

Historically, Basquiat is one of the most forged artists in the market. His signed prints were never released with certificates of authenticity (COA), and his signature varies. For instance, Basquiat's Anatomy prints are signed in white coloured pencil, but the edition numbering is ambiguous, with auction sales sometimes cataloguing them as “presumably from the edition of 18.” Certain artist proofs (AP) from this collection are inscribed on the reverse.

Posthumous prints released by the Basquiat estate are signed by a family member, such as Gerard Basquiat (Jean-Michel’s late father) or his sisters, Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux. Notably, posthumous works like Flexible and Boxer Rebellion come with a COA issued by Flatiron Editions. In another instance, Basquiat’s latest posthumous release, Odours Of Punt, was presented in a custom-made white lacquer frame. When purchasing a print, it should always include its COA (if applicable) and any original framing, as missing elements can diminish its value and raise red flags for forgery. For more on the Basquiat estate’s print releases and operations, refer to our comprehensive Basquiat Seller's Guide.

In all cases, it’s crucial to have paperwork proving ownership and history. Purchasing through a reputable dealer or auction house is highly recommended. While serious collectors may offer works privately, involving a third party to verify authenticity and mediate the sale adds essential protection.

The majority of Basquiat’s verified prints were produced on high-quality paper, offering resilience against various forms of damage. Early works were typically printed on Arches wove paper, while posthumous prints were released on Saunders watercolour paper. These thick, durable papers hold ink well and are more resistant to fading or warping. Understanding the type of paper Basquiat used not only helps assess a print’s condition but also plays a role in verifying its authenticity, as prints on other papers could signal a red flag. MyArtBroker can assist with this process or verify if the print has already been appraised by a trusted expert.

For more details on print condition and restoration, read our restoration guide or reach out to us for personalised, one-on-one assistance.

When looking to buy a Basquiat print, the first step is identifying which print you want to acquire and determining your budget. Retrospectives, significant anniversary exhibitions, and high-value sales of original pieces at major auctions often lead to value appreciation, making it an ideal time for collectors to consign their works, which in turn creates buying opportunities. Recently, every major marquee auction has featured multiple high-value Basquiat paintings. For detailed insights into these sales, refer to our comprehensive auction reports from Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips.

Working with a professional who understands market trends, saturation, and auction cycles is especially beneficial, particularly for new collectors entering the market.

Researching the right avenue for purchasing your print is essential to ensure you acquire the desired artwork and achieve the best outcome. It is highly recommended to avoid unregulated marketplaces, particularly when buying works by artists with a history of forgeries, like Basquiat, to ensure authenticity.

Auction houses are a popular option, though premiums can be high, sometimes reaching up to 25% of the purchase price, along with shipping and tax costs. Additionally, buying through an auction house requires careful attention to market trends, as the print you want may not appear in every sale cycle, leading to a potentially long wait. The competitive nature of bidding can also push the price beyond fair market value, exceeding your budget. For more insights, refer to our Guide to Auction Versus Private Sale.

Alternatively, you can choose to work with a private dealer, though this may still involve dealer fees. Online platforms like MyArtBroker provide a more streamlined, transparent process, and online buying is becoming increasingly popular in the digital age. Contact us for further advice on purchasing the right Basquiat print. To learn more about Basquiat’s print market, explore The Art Investment Report.

A Dedicated Specialist

At MyArtBroker, we provide a secure and efficient platform for buyers, connecting you directly with our experienced specialists. Whether you're looking to acquire a specific Basquiat print to start or grow your collection, our dedicated team will guide you through the process. Leveraging our extensive network of collectors who actively trade daily, we ensure that each artwork is thoroughly checked for authenticity and condition, allowing you to buy with confidence. We also facilitate delivery, combining the reliability of working with a specialist with the ease and transparency of our online platform.

Our Network

With a global network of over 30,000 collectors, dealers, galleries, and experts, we specialise in connecting buyers and sellers of authentic Basquiat works. Our online platform, which attracts 75,000 monthly visitors, offers regular updates on market trends, auction outcomes, and new pieces available for trade. Additionally, we provide detailed essays on Basquiat’s editions and keep you informed with the latest insights into his market performance.

The growing popularity of our online Trading Floor presents an excellent opportunity for collectors, particularly in a challenging market. Whether buying or selling, our platform offers an efficient digital avenue to access the most sought-after Basquiat works. If you're looking to explore his art further, get in touch with us, and we’ll guide you through the process.

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