“The greatest treasures of the world are art, pretty much…they are the most lasting. They are still here after people.” - Jean-Michel Basquiat

Radiant shades, linear patterns, mythical figures, and the trance-like rhythm of New York City. These are some of Basquiat’s most identifiable motifs, attributed to shaping the artist’s distinct and immersive visual language. New from publisher Assouline, Basquiat: The World of Jean-Michel is a panoramic collection that examines the artist’s career and internal self, identifying the practices and symbols that shaped his creative legacy. Organized thematically, the book’s thorough process guides readers into Basquiat’s extensive repertoire, delving into the making of iconic pieces such as Heads and the Blue Ribbon series, as well as notable subjects of Black identity, metropolis, and corporeality that manifest consistently across his many expressions.

The book features exclusive photographs of Basquiat in the midst of his inventive process, situating in-progress creations alongside completed works, including those which have been destroyed or lost to time. Collaborations with contemporaries like Andy Warhol and inclusions of personal letters from Robert Rauschenberg and Keith Haring provide an intimate exhibition of Basquiat’s status as a beloved figure amongst his community of visionaries. Basquiat: The World of Jean-Michel was crafted in partnership with international art dealership ColourThemes, and many of its featured works have been precisely reproduced to represent their original structures, textures, and vibrance.

With Red Skull (1982) splayed across the hardcover, the book transposes an iconic Basquiat work into an accessible gateway into his life and practices. Its minimalist structure has been intentionally designed to mimic the texture of an empty canvas; undeniably enticing and brimming with potential. An essential addition to any art connoisseur’s collection, Basquiat: The World of Jean-Michel is a transformational voyage into the artist’s imagination that honors his well-earned presence as a prolific legend of the contemporary art world.