Lithograph, 1985
Signed Print Edition of 80
H 76cm x W 95cm
This lithograph on wove paper from 1985 is a limited edition of 80 from Keith Haring’s Three Lithographs series. Typical of Haring’s lithographs that feature his celebrated simplistic drawings in outrageous and comical compositions, Three Lithographs 1 shows a large stick figure with an erect penis that merges into another figure. This print is depicted in a style that mimics children’s drawings but depicts a message that is entirely adult in tone.
The figure that forms the end of the penis seems to be attacking a third stick figure on the right highlighted by red action lines emanating from its body. This image is charged with excitement and movement due to Haring’s use of line and dotted landscape, showing the figures to be either dancing or fighting.
Haring retains a hand-painted quality to this print, as most clearly seen in the red lines used, which is characteristic of the lithography printing method that is capable of producing exceptional detail.