Important Basquiat at Phillips auction

1982 is considered a breakthrough year for artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, who was one of the first Black painters to succeed in establishing himself on the art market - at just 21 years old. He painted his nearly two-and-a-half-by-five-meter painting Untitled that year. It shows Basquiat as a demonic figure in his typical formal language. On May 18, the painting will be up for sale at Phillips in New York, estimated at $70 million. In 2016, the Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa bought it for around 57 million US dollars - the estimated value was 50 million US dollars.

Basquiat (1960-1988), who died of a heroin overdose, is currently considered one of the most expensive artists. His work defies clear art historical classification and its significance is regularly debated among art historians. Untitled has already been shown in London in the run-up to the auction. It will be on view in Los Angeles on March 11 and 12, and in Taipei on April 2 and 3. From April 30 until the auction date, Phillips will present it in New York.