Early life: 1960–1977
Basquiat was born on December 22, 1960, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York City, the second of four … See more

Shortly after his death, The New York Times indicated that Basquiat was "the most famous of only a small number of young black artists … See more

Basquiat sold his first painting to singer Debbie Harry for $200 in 1981. Advised by Italian artist Sandro Chia, gallerist Emilio Mazzoli purchased ten of Basquiat's works for $10,000 and held … See more

Basquiat's estate was administered by his father, Gerard Basquiat, until his passing in 2013. It is now run by his sisters, Jeanine Heriveaux … See more

Art critic Franklin Sirmans analyzed that Basquiat appropriated poetry, drawing, and painting, and married text and image, abstraction, figuration, and historical information mixed with contemporary critique. His social commentary were acutely See more

Basquiat's first public exhibition was at The Times Square Show in New York in June 1980. In May 1981, he had his first solo exhibition at Galleria d'Arte Emilio Mazzoli in Modena. In late 1981, he joined the Annina Nosei Gallery in New York, where he had his first … See more

Basquiat had romantic relationships with many women, including singer Madonna. Although he never publicly identified as bisexual, … See more