Charles The First
by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Year: 1982/2004
Medium: Screenprint
Size: 61″ X 48″ in
Screenprint on Lenox Museum Board
Edition of 85.
A commanding example of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s iconic visual language, Charles The First (1982/2004) is a screenprint on Lenox Museum Board measuring 61 × 48 inches, produced in a limited edition of 85. The work explores themes of power, history, and identity through Basquiat’s expressive symbolism and Neo-Expressionist approach. Its significant imagery, limited availability, and established provenance make it a distinguished acquisition for collectors of important contemporary art.
Charles the First is one of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s most celebrated works, created in 1982 during the peak of his meteoric rise in the contemporary art world. The work originated from Basquiat’s studio practice and does not have a street graffiti version. While Basquiat began as SAMO, creating poetic graffiti across New York City, Charles the First reflects his breakthrough period when his raw street vocabulary evolved into powerful gallery paintings.
The artwork pays tribute to jazz legend Charlie Parker, whom Basquiat admired deeply. Through crowns, fragmented text, and symbolic imagery, Basquiat explores genius, recognition, creativity, and the struggles faced by influential Black figures throughout history. The crown motif represents achievement and royalty, while the layered composition reflects the tension between artistic brilliance and societal barriers.
Collectors consider Charles the First a masterpiece-level Basquiat work. Original paintings from 1982 are among the most sought-after in the market, valued for their rarity, historical significance, and connection to the artist’s most influential period.
At ArtLife Gallery, we view Charles the First as a defining statement of Basquiat’s legacy. Alongside Untitled (1982), Hollywood Africans, Flexible, and Riding with Death, it demonstrates his extraordinary ability to transform personal heroes, cultural history, and social commentary into timeless contemporary art.
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) was an American artist whose journey from New York's underground graffiti scene to the international art market transformed contemporary art forever. Born in Brooklyn to Haitian and Puerto Rican parents, Basquiat first gained attention in the late 1970s through the graffiti collective SAMO before becoming one of the defining artists of the Neo-Expressionist movement. Basquiat became so famous because he fused raw street culture with fine art, creating powerful works that explored race, identity, politics, and social inequality through a bold visual language unlike anything seen before. Although his career lasted less than ten years, his influence on modern art continues to grow decades after his death.
Basquiat's paintings are instantly recognizable for their energetic compositions, expressive brushwork, fragmented text, bold color palettes, and layered symbolism. Recurring motifs including crowns, skulls, anatomical sketches, athletes, musicians, and historical references reflect his exploration of identity, race, power, and cultural history. His collaborations with Andy Warhol further elevated his profile and remain among the most celebrated partnerships in contemporary art.
Today, Basquiat's work is displayed in leading museums and prestigious private collections worldwide. Among the biggest collectors and celebrity owners of Basquiat art are influential figures from the worlds of entertainment, fashion, and finance, reflecting his enduring appeal across industries. His cultural impact extends beyond the gallery, with major brands including Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Coach, Uniqlo, and Supreme drawing inspiration from his iconic imagery through high-profile collaborations.
For collectors, Jean-Michel Basquiat is widely considered a blue-chip investment. Original paintings regularly achieve multi-million-dollar prices at auction, while important works have sold for more than $100 million. Limited-edition prints and drawings offer more accessible entry points, although demand remains consistently high. The greatest advantages of investing in Basquiat include exceptional global recognition, strong secondary-market performance, and enduring cultural relevance.
More Jean-Michel Basquiat Works to Explore
Charles The First
by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Year: 1982/2004
Medium: Screenprint
Size: 61″ X 48″ in
Screenprint on Lenox Museum Board
A commanding example of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s iconic visual language, Charles The First (1982/2004) is a screenprint on Lenox Museum Board measuring 61 × 48 inches, produced in a limited edition of 85. The work explores themes of power, history, and identity through Basquiat’s expressive symbolism and Neo-Expressionist approach. Its significant imagery, limited availability, and established provenance make it a distinguished acquisition for collectors of important contemporary art.
Charles the First is one of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s most celebrated works, created in 1982 during the peak of his meteoric rise in the contemporary art world. The work originated from Basquiat’s studio practice and does not have a street graffiti version. While Basquiat began as SAMO, creating poetic graffiti across New York City, Charles the First reflects his breakthrough period when his raw street vocabulary evolved into powerful gallery paintings.
The artwork pays tribute to jazz legend Charlie Parker, whom Basquiat admired deeply. Through crowns, fragmented text, and symbolic imagery, Basquiat explores genius, recognition, creativity, and the struggles faced by influential Black figures throughout history. The crown motif represents achievement and royalty, while the layered composition reflects the tension between artistic brilliance and societal barriers.
Collectors consider Charles the First a masterpiece-level Basquiat work. Original paintings from 1982 are among the most sought-after in the market, valued for their rarity, historical significance, and connection to the artist’s most influential period.
At ArtLife Gallery, we view Charles the First as a defining statement of Basquiat’s legacy. Alongside Untitled (1982), Hollywood Africans, Flexible, and Riding with Death, it demonstrates his extraordinary ability to transform personal heroes, cultural history, and social commentary into timeless contemporary art.
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) was an American artist whose journey from New York's underground graffiti scene to the international art market transformed contemporary art forever. Born in Brooklyn to Haitian and Puerto Rican parents, Basquiat first gained attention in the late 1970s through the graffiti collective SAMO before becoming one of the defining artists of the Neo-Expressionist movement. Basquiat became so famous because he fused raw street culture with fine art, creating powerful works that explored race, identity, politics, and social inequality through a bold visual language unlike anything seen before. Although his career lasted less than ten years, his influence on modern art continues to grow decades after his death.
Basquiat's paintings are instantly recognizable for their energetic compositions, expressive brushwork, fragmented text, bold color palettes, and layered symbolism. Recurring motifs including crowns, skulls, anatomical sketches, athletes, musicians, and historical references reflect his exploration of identity, race, power, and cultural history. His collaborations with Andy Warhol further elevated his profile and remain among the most celebrated partnerships in contemporary art.
Today, Basquiat's work is displayed in leading museums and prestigious private collections worldwide. Among the biggest collectors and celebrity owners of Basquiat art are influential figures from the worlds of entertainment, fashion, and finance, reflecting his enduring appeal across industries. His cultural impact extends beyond the gallery, with major brands including Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Coach, Uniqlo, and Supreme drawing inspiration from his iconic imagery through high-profile collaborations.
For collectors, Jean-Michel Basquiat is widely considered a blue-chip investment. Original paintings regularly achieve multi-million-dollar prices at auction, while important works have sold for more than $100 million. Limited-edition prints and drawings offer more accessible entry points, although demand remains consistently high. The greatest advantages of investing in Basquiat include exceptional global recognition, strong secondary-market performance, and enduring cultural relevance.