Jean-Michel Basquiat Artwork Value | Prices, Originals vs Prints, How to Sell

At-a-glance: Jean-Michel Basquiat

A meteoric talent who rose from New York's graffiti scene to blue-chip status, Basquiat created an intense body of work in less than a decade — and his market now rivals the most expensive artists in history.

Bio

Name: Jean-Michel Basquiat
Years Active: 1978–1988
Nationality: American

Style

Neo-Expressionism with graffiti roots. Raw gestural marks, dense text, anatomical imagery, crowns, skulls, and social commentary.

What to look for

Provenance documentation (no active authentication body), period materials (oil stick, acrylic, spray paint), exhibition/publication history, Navarra survey inclusion.

What Basquiat works do people actually own?

Unlike Warhol or Haring, Basquiat created almost exclusively unique works — no print editions. Understanding whether you have an original or reproduction is essential, as most "Basquiat prints" are Estate-licensed reproductions with no investment value.

Licensed reproductions — $50–$500
The Estate licenses reproductions of Basquiat's images for posters, prints, and merchandise. These are clearly marked collectibles, not original artworks. They have no investment value regardless of framing quality.
Small drawings and postcards — $50,000–$500,000
Basquiat was prolific on paper — oil stick, crayon, and mixed media drawings including hand-painted postcards. Quick sketches fall at the lower end; developed compositions with iconic imagery reach higher. Authentication is critical given forgery prevalence.
Major works on paper — $500,000–$5,000,000+
Significant drawings with iconic imagery (crowns, skulls, text) from his prime period (1981–1984). These require ironclad provenance and scholarly recognition. Major auction houses handle these in dedicated drawings sales.
Warhol collaborations — $1,000,000–$20,000,000+
Basquiat and Warhol collaborated on paintings in 1984–1985. These joint works are exceptionally rare and require provenance connecting to both artists. Authentication challenges apply to both estates.
Paintings — $5,000,000–$110,000,000+
Original paintings on canvas or found materials. Major works regularly exceed $50 million at auction. His record is $110.5 million for Untitled (1982), the skull painting sold at Sotheby's in 2017. Large-scale works from 1981–1984 command the highest prices.

Works without documented provenance are essentially unsellable — the forgery rate is extremely high. Upload your piece for a preliminary assessment of its authenticity indicators.

How to verify Basquiat authenticity

Authentication for Basquiat is exceptionally difficult — there is no active authentication body. Before getting a valuation, understand the current situation:

No authentication committee: The Estate's Authentication Committee disbanded in September 2012 after reviewing over 2,000 works. They no longer accept submissions — there is no official body to authenticate Basquiat works.
No formal catalogue raisonné: Unlike most major artists, there is no comprehensive catalogue raisonné. Enrico Navarra published surveys in 1996 and 2000, but these omit approximately 300 paintings and most of the estimated 3,500 drawings.
Provenance is paramount: Without an authentication body, documented ownership history is essential. Gallery records, auction provenance, exhibition history, and publication appearances are the primary evidence.
Forgeries are rampant: Basquiat's raw style appears deceptively simple to imitate. The FBI has investigated multiple major forgery rings. His astronomical prices create strong incentives for fraud.
Technical analysis: For serious works, pigment analysis, materials testing, and forensic examination may be required. Basquiat used specific materials — oil stick, acrylic, spray paint, collaged paper.

Upload photos of the front, back, any documentation, and provenance records for a preliminary assessment.

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Jean-Michel Basquiat artwork FAQs

Authentication for Basquiat is exceptionally difficult. The Estate's Authentication Committee disbanded in 2012 and no longer reviews works. There is no formal catalogue raisonné — only Enrico Navarra's incomplete 1996/2000 survey. Authentication now relies on provenance documentation, scholarly consensus, technical analysis, and independent expert opinions. Major auction houses conduct their own due diligence. For general guidance on distinguishing originals from reproductions, see our original vs print artwork guide.

Basquiat created almost exclusively unique works — paintings, drawings, and mixed media. He made no traditional print editions like Warhol or Haring. "Basquiat prints" are Estate-licensed reproductions worth $50–$500, not original artworks. Authentic works are unique pieces with documented provenance, specific materials (oil stick, acrylic, spray paint), and scholarly recognition. Understanding this distinction is essential before getting a valuation.

Basquiat forgeries are extremely common — the FBI has investigated multiple major forgery rings. His raw style appears deceptively simple to imitate. Without documented provenance tracing back to galleries, collectors, or exhibitions from his lifetime, authentication is nearly impossible. A free appraisal can help assess whether your piece has the provenance and characteristics that warrant further expert review.

Large-scale paintings from 1981–1984 featuring iconic imagery — crowns, skulls, anatomical figures, and dense text — command the highest prices. His auction record is $110.5 million for Untitled (1982), the skull painting sold at Sotheby's in 2017. Among contemporary artists, Basquiat rivals Warhol in market strength.

Works with solid provenance belong at major auction houses — Sotheby's, Christie's, or Phillips. Paintings go to contemporary evening sales; works on paper to dedicated drawings sales. Given the values involved, private sales through top-tier galleries are also common. For pieces valued over $1,000, we can help connect you with the right channel — see our selling guide for more details.

Basquiat's signature alone proves nothing — forgeries routinely include convincing signatures. He signed works inconsistently, sometimes on front, sometimes on back, sometimes not at all. Without provenance documentation and scholarly support, a signature is meaningless. The focus should be on ownership history, exhibition records, and technical analysis rather than signature appearance.

How to sell Jean-Michel Basquiat artwork

Ready to sell your artwork? Here's the process for Basquiat pieces — provenance is everything.

1

Get a valuation

Upload photos and we'll assess your piece's authenticity indicators, provenance strength, and market potential within 24–48 hours.

2

Document complete provenance

Compile every ownership record: gallery purchases, auction history, exhibition loans, publication appearances. Since there's no authentication committee, provenance is the primary evidence of authenticity. Any gaps weaken the work's standing.

3

Choose the right channel

Works on paper under $1M: Specialist contemporary art dealers, auction house drawings sales.
Major works $1M+: Sotheby's, Christie's, or Phillips contemporary evening sales.
Private sale: Top-tier galleries for confidential transactions.

4

Prepare for due diligence

Major auction houses conduct their own authentication review — expect requests for technical analysis, provenance verification, and expert consultation. Budget time for this process. Works without solid provenance may be declined.

Ready to get a free Jean-Michel Basquiat valuation?

Upload photos of your artwork — front, back, signature, and any provenance documentation — and receive a research-backed estimate with guidance on authenticity, pricing, and selling options.