Per Capita
by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Year: 1982-2001
Medium: Screenprint
Size: 40″ X 40″ in
Screenprint on Lenox Museum Board
Edition of 85.
A compelling example of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s enduring cultural impact, Per Capita (1982–2001) is a screenprint on Lenox Museum Board measuring 40 × 40 inches, issued in a limited edition of 85. The work reflects Basquiat’s incisive exploration of society, language, and identity through his signature Neo-Expressionist vocabulary. Its museum-quality format, scarce edition, and recognised significance make it a highly desirable acquisition for collectors of important contemporary art.
Per Capita is a significant work by Jean-Michel Basquiat that reflects the artist’s deep engagement with economics, race, history, and systems of power. Created in 1981, the work originated from Basquiat’s studio practice and does not have a street graffiti version. Although Basquiat first gained recognition through his SAMO graffiti writings in New York, Per Capita belongs to his breakthrough gallery period, when he began transforming urban language into complex visual narratives.
The title, referencing a measurement used in economics, reveals Basquiat’s interest in social structures and inequality. Through fragmented text, symbolic imagery, and expressive marks, the work examines value, identity, and the ways society measures human worth. His use of crowns, anatomy, and coded language creates a layered conversation about cultural recognition, financial systems, and the experience of being seen or overlooked.
Collectors highly value Per Capita for its historical importance, rarity, and connection to Basquiat’s most influential early period. Works from 1981 are especially sought after, representing the moment when Basquiat emerged as a defining voice in contemporary art.
At ArtLife Gallery, we view Per Capita as a cornerstone of Basquiat’s intellectual and visual development. Related to works such as Untitled (1981), Hollywood Africans, Charles the First, and Flexible, it demonstrates his unmatched ability to combine street culture, poetry, and social commentary into enduring 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
Per Capita
by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Year: 1982-2001
Medium: Screenprint
Size: 40″ X 40″ in
Screenprint on Lenox Museum Board
A compelling example of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s enduring cultural impact, Per Capita (1982–2001) is a screenprint on Lenox Museum Board measuring 40 × 40 inches, issued in a limited edition of 85. The work reflects Basquiat’s incisive exploration of society, language, and identity through his signature Neo-Expressionist vocabulary. Its museum-quality format, scarce edition, and recognised significance make it a highly desirable acquisition for collectors of important contemporary art.
Per Capita is a significant work by Jean-Michel Basquiat that reflects the artist’s deep engagement with economics, race, history, and systems of power. Created in 1981, the work originated from Basquiat’s studio practice and does not have a street graffiti version. Although Basquiat first gained recognition through his SAMO graffiti writings in New York, Per Capita belongs to his breakthrough gallery period, when he began transforming urban language into complex visual narratives.
The title, referencing a measurement used in economics, reveals Basquiat’s interest in social structures and inequality. Through fragmented text, symbolic imagery, and expressive marks, the work examines value, identity, and the ways society measures human worth. His use of crowns, anatomy, and coded language creates a layered conversation about cultural recognition, financial systems, and the experience of being seen or overlooked.
Collectors highly value Per Capita for its historical importance, rarity, and connection to Basquiat’s most influential early period. Works from 1981 are especially sought after, representing the moment when Basquiat emerged as a defining voice in contemporary art.
At ArtLife Gallery, we view Per Capita as a cornerstone of Basquiat’s intellectual and visual development. Related to works such as Untitled (1981), Hollywood Africans, Charles the First, and Flexible, it demonstrates his unmatched ability to combine street culture, poetry, and social commentary into enduring 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.