Artist: Jean-Michel Basquiat (American, b. 1960-1988)
Year: 1985
Medium: Lithograph in colors
Description: Titian (1986) is a striking example of the artist’s late‑period synthesis of anatomy, text, and cultural commentary. Created during Basquiat’s lifetime—two years before his death—this lithograph captures the frenetic, layered visual language that defined his most sought‑after works. The piece blends anatomical diagrams, fragmented labeling, and expressive mark‑making with references to classical art, identity, and the body’s symbolic weight.
Unlike the estate prints released posthumously by the Basquiat family—often priced between $30,000 and $50,000—Titian belongs to the far more desirable category of lifetime works. Its 1985 origin places it squarely within Basquiat’s mature period, when his exploration of anatomy, Renaissance influence, and semiotic fragmentation reached its peak. The interplay of labeled bones, teeth, and musculature alongside references to Titian and Venus reflects Basquiat’s fascination with the collision of high art and human vulnerability.
The composition is dense with Basquiat’s signature motifs: repeated words, crossed‑out phrases, diagrammatic arrows, and anatomical studies rendered with both precision and improvisation. The work’s chaotic structure is intentional—an echo of Basquiat’s belief that knowledge, identity, and history are never linear but constantly rewritten.
Titian stands as a powerful example of Basquiat’s ability to merge classical references with contemporary urgency, creating a visual field that feels both scholarly and explosive. As a lifetime lithograph, it carries significant historical and collector value, offering an accessible entry point into Basquiat’s blue‑chip market while retaining the authenticity and immediacy of his hand.
A rare lifetime Basquiat work from 1986, blending anatomy, classical reference, and expressive text—an essential addition for collectors seeking museum‑grade pieces from the artist’s mature period.
Condition: Excellent
Image size: ” w x ” h
Museum style framing: Included
Frame size: ” w x ” h
Certificate of Authenticity: Included
Shipping: FedEx ground only. Usually ships within 3 business days.
Returns: Please see our Returns & Inspection Policy in the FAQ.
Artist: Jean-Michel Basquiat (American, b. 1960-1988)
Year: 1985
Medium: Lithograph in colors
Description: Titian (1986) is a striking example of the artist’s late‑period synthesis of anatomy, text, and cultural commentary. Created during Basquiat’s lifetime—two years before his death—this lithograph captures the frenetic, layered visual language that defined his most sought‑after works. The piece blends anatomical diagrams, fragmented labeling, and expressive mark‑making with references to classical art, identity, and the body’s symbolic weight.
Unlike the estate prints released posthumously by the Basquiat family—often priced between $30,000 and $50,000—Titian belongs to the far more desirable category of lifetime works. Its 1985 origin places it squarely within Basquiat’s mature period, when his exploration of anatomy, Renaissance influence, and semiotic fragmentation reached its peak. The interplay of labeled bones, teeth, and musculature alongside references to Titian and Venus reflects Basquiat’s fascination with the collision of high art and human vulnerability.
The composition is dense with Basquiat’s signature motifs: repeated words, crossed‑out phrases, diagrammatic arrows, and anatomical studies rendered with both precision and improvisation. The work’s chaotic structure is intentional—an echo of Basquiat’s belief that knowledge, identity, and history are never linear but constantly rewritten.
Titian stands as a powerful example of Basquiat’s ability to merge classical references with contemporary urgency, creating a visual field that feels both scholarly and explosive. As a lifetime lithograph, it carries significant historical and collector value, offering an accessible entry point into Basquiat’s blue‑chip market while retaining the authenticity and immediacy of his hand.
A rare lifetime Basquiat work from 1986, blending anatomy, classical reference, and expressive text—an essential addition for collectors seeking museum‑grade pieces from the artist’s mature period.
Condition: Excellent
Image size: ” w x ” h
Museum style framing: Included
Frame size: ” w x ” h
Certificate of Authenticity: Included
Shipping: FedEx ground only. Usually ships within 3 business days.
Returns: Please see our Returns & Inspection Policy in the FAQ.
