NEW YORK (AP) — A monumental 1982 self-portrait of Jean-Michel Basquiat as a fiery demonic figure is coming to auction where it could bring $40 million.
Christie’s says “Untitled, 1982” has appeared in every major Basquiat retrospective. The work features splashes of explosive colors.
It will be offered on May 10 at Christie’s post-war and contemporary art sale.
It was painted while Basquiat was only 22 in Modena, Italy, at the prime of his career.
Brett Gorvy, Christie’s head of post-war and contemporary art, says he’s confident the work will realize one of the highest prices for the artist at auction.
The current auction record for a Basquiat is $48.8 million for his “Dustheads,” achieved at Christie’s in 2013.
The American artist died in 1988 at the age of 27 of a drug overdose.
