Femur, From Anatomy Series
by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Year: 1982
Medium: Screenprint
Size: 76.2 x 56.5 CM
Screenprint on 88 arches paper
18 Signed and Numbered
An exceptional work from Jean-Michel Basquiat’s 1982 Anatomy Series, Femur is a screenprint on 88 Arches paper measuring 76.2 x 56.5 cm. Limited to an edition of 18, each example is signed and numbered, enhancing its rarity and provenance. Blending anatomical study with Basquiat’s expressive symbolism, the piece offers collectors a compelling insight into his iconic visual language and historic Neo-Expressionist legacy.
Femur, from Anatomy Series is a remarkable work by Jean-Michel Basquiat that showcases the artist’s ability to transform scientific imagery into a powerful exploration of identity, structure, and human experience. The work originated from Basquiat’s studio practice as part of his Anatomy series and does not have a street graffiti version. While Basquiat first gained recognition through his SAMO graffiti writings in New York, this work reflects his mature period, when he brought street-born ideas into the global contemporary art conversation.
The femur, the body’s strongest bone, becomes a symbol of resilience, support, and survival. Basquiat combines anatomical reference with expressive marks, handwritten text, and symbolic fragments to question how the body carries memory, history, and cultural identity. His approach challenges the separation between science and art, creating a deeply personal visual language.
Collectors value Femur, from Anatomy Series for its rarity, conceptual importance, and place within Basquiat’s influential anatomy works. Pieces from this series remain highly desirable due to their limited availability and direct connection to the artist’s creative process.
At ArtLife Gallery, we view Femur as a defining example of Basquiat’s genius—where anatomy becomes a metaphor for strength, history, and the human condition.
Related to Right Clavicle, Ligaments of the Elbow, Of Base of Skull, and Untitled (Head), this work represents Basquiat’s mature era of merging research, symbolism, and expressive freedom 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
Femur, From Anatomy Series
by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Year: 1982
Medium: Screenprint
Size: 76.2 x 56.5 CM
Screenprint on 88 arches paper
An exceptional work from Jean-Michel Basquiat’s 1982 Anatomy Series, Femur is a screenprint on 88 Arches paper measuring 76.2 x 56.5 cm. Limited to an edition of 18, each example is signed and numbered, enhancing its rarity and provenance. Blending anatomical study with Basquiat’s expressive symbolism, the piece offers collectors a compelling insight into his iconic visual language and historic Neo-Expressionist legacy.
Femur, from Anatomy Series is a remarkable work by Jean-Michel Basquiat that showcases the artist’s ability to transform scientific imagery into a powerful exploration of identity, structure, and human experience. The work originated from Basquiat’s studio practice as part of his Anatomy series and does not have a street graffiti version. While Basquiat first gained recognition through his SAMO graffiti writings in New York, this work reflects his mature period, when he brought street-born ideas into the global contemporary art conversation.
The femur, the body’s strongest bone, becomes a symbol of resilience, support, and survival. Basquiat combines anatomical reference with expressive marks, handwritten text, and symbolic fragments to question how the body carries memory, history, and cultural identity. His approach challenges the separation between science and art, creating a deeply personal visual language.
Collectors value Femur, from Anatomy Series for its rarity, conceptual importance, and place within Basquiat’s influential anatomy works. Pieces from this series remain highly desirable due to their limited availability and direct connection to the artist’s creative process.
At ArtLife Gallery, we view Femur as a defining example of Basquiat’s genius—where anatomy becomes a metaphor for strength, history, and the human condition.
Related to Right Clavicle, Ligaments of the Elbow, Of Base of Skull, and Untitled (Head), this work represents Basquiat’s mature era of merging research, symbolism, and expressive freedom 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.