King Brand
by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Year: 1982-83/2019
Medium: Screen Print in Colors
Size: 22” x 30”
Edition of 50
Additional Information: Signed
Distinguished by its rare edition and compelling imagery, Liberty (2017) is a screenprint on Lenox Museum Board measuring 22 × 30 inches (55.88 × 76.2 cm), produced in an edition of only 50 and signed. Rooted in Jean-Michel Basquiat’s revolutionary visual language, the work unites expressive symbolism with enduring social commentary. Its authenticated signature, museum-quality production, and exceptional scarcity establish it as a coveted acquisition for sophisticated contemporary art collections.
King Brand is a powerful example of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s ability to merge language, symbolism, and social critique into a visually compelling work. Originally conceived in Basquiat’s studio during his celebrated early 1980s period, it was not created as a street graffiti mural. While Basquiat first gained recognition through his SAMO graffiti across Lower Manhattan, King Brand belongs to the period when his street-born visual vocabulary matured into museum-quality paintings and highly sought-after editions.
The title reflects Basquiat’s recurring fascination with royalty, status, and identity. His iconic crown motif transforms the idea of "brand" into a statement about cultural recognition, power, and legacy. Fragmented text, expressive linework, and layered imagery challenge viewers to question who is celebrated, who is forgotten, and how society assigns value. The work embodies themes of race, ambition, authorship, and the commercialization of culture.
Collectors prize King Brand for its rarity, strong provenance within Basquiat’s mature oeuvre, and its connection to his most recognizable visual language. Works from this period continue to outperform the broader contemporary art market and remain cornerstone acquisitions for blue-chip collections.
Curator Insight: At ArtLife Gallery, we see King Brand as a defining expression of Basquiat’s genius—where every mark carries meaning and every symbol invites deeper reflection.
Closely related to Charles the First, Per Capita, Hollywood Africans, Rinso, and Wolf Sausage, King Brand exemplifies Basquiat’s most influential artistic period, when he redefined the boundaries between street culture, history, and contemporary fine 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
King Brand
by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Year: 1982-83/2019
Medium: Screen Print in Colors
Size: 22” x 30”
Edition of 50
Distinguished by its rare edition and compelling imagery, Liberty (2017) is a screenprint on Lenox Museum Board measuring 22 × 30 inches (55.88 × 76.2 cm), produced in an edition of only 50 and signed. Rooted in Jean-Michel Basquiat’s revolutionary visual language, the work unites expressive symbolism with enduring social commentary. Its authenticated signature, museum-quality production, and exceptional scarcity establish it as a coveted acquisition for sophisticated contemporary art collections.
King Brand is a powerful example of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s ability to merge language, symbolism, and social critique into a visually compelling work. Originally conceived in Basquiat’s studio during his celebrated early 1980s period, it was not created as a street graffiti mural. While Basquiat first gained recognition through his SAMO graffiti across Lower Manhattan, King Brand belongs to the period when his street-born visual vocabulary matured into museum-quality paintings and highly sought-after editions.
The title reflects Basquiat’s recurring fascination with royalty, status, and identity. His iconic crown motif transforms the idea of "brand" into a statement about cultural recognition, power, and legacy. Fragmented text, expressive linework, and layered imagery challenge viewers to question who is celebrated, who is forgotten, and how society assigns value. The work embodies themes of race, ambition, authorship, and the commercialization of culture.
Collectors prize King Brand for its rarity, strong provenance within Basquiat’s mature oeuvre, and its connection to his most recognizable visual language. Works from this period continue to outperform the broader contemporary art market and remain cornerstone acquisitions for blue-chip collections.
Curator Insight: At ArtLife Gallery, we see King Brand as a defining expression of Basquiat’s genius—where every mark carries meaning and every symbol invites deeper reflection.
Closely related to Charles the First, Per Capita, Hollywood Africans, Rinso, and Wolf Sausage, King Brand exemplifies Basquiat’s most influential artistic period, when he redefined the boundaries between street culture, history, and contemporary fine 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.