Jean-Michel Basquiat

This book shows some drawings and paintings which you will not find in previously published books and the articles which accompany the pictures are well written and informative. No doubt the articles benefit from much of the scholarship which has preceded them.

While I agreed with other reviewers that the cover is quite flimsy, and was especially disturbed by the poor choice of paper. which is not as thick as one would expect, given the caliber of this brilliant artist, I felt that the plates were quite impressive, and was glad that there were many that filled out the full page. I thought the color reproduction was excellent. I get the sense that there are some works here that I am not familiar with. This is a book of two themes, in my mind, one the astounding talent of this young man, but also the tragedy of his brief life. The rich, colorful and exciting palate of his works, contrast with his seemingly bleak existence. On page 171, which is a gate fold, there is a gigantic black and white photo of Basquiat who appears very brooding. But open up that gate fold page and see the magnificence of the work "Offensive Orange" 1982. There is another large black and white photo of Basquiat on page217, a part of different gate fold, where he is seen in an apartment, in somewhat of a fog, near a TV, and the sadnessis so apparent. I've heard it said that he was too sensitive for this world. His great success at such a young age, was notenough to propel him forward apparently. Maybe it was a case of too young, too soon. maybe this overwhelmed him, or frightened him. This book does seem to go on and on with 321 pages. The final small black and white photos at the end of the book seem to confirm the torment of this man's existence, there are barely a few that show him in a slightly sunny mood. One imagines the amazement he might have felt had he lived to see his works valued in the many millions of dollars that has come to pass. Like, Janis Joplin, and many others, a drug overdose snuffed out this man's life, sadly not even reaching his 30s. Imagine the potential a full life could have afforded him, and the joy we would have witnessed !!! I was eagerly awaiting this book, and decided to give it 5 stars, because, despite the flaws, there is so much good here!! Part of the good, is the insight into a man, who had so much to give, from his artistic core, who couldn't outrun his demons. If one only saw the work, and had no exposure to the photos, the experience would be far less meaningful. Certainly this book in not in the same league at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery book or The Jean MIchel Basquait Show, but it is certainly worth a look , and possibly a buy !!! ( hopefully at an affordable price).

Great book, very comprehensive for the show at Louis Vuitton Foundation. I went to the show and this book captures it well. Love this item.

Great selection of works by Basquiat. The reproductions are top quality. The book is big and heavy.

Art lover, the text and reproductions of the work is really wonderful..will use this for referring back to Basquiat, his life and work.

I love it. I look at the art and am awestruck by the imagination of someone so young yet so mature

The book arrived in excellent condition and is of wonderful quality. Very impressive book on Jean-Michel Basquiat, his life and, of course, his artwork..

I am a collector of art monographs, own thousands. I own all of Basquiat’s monographs including his raisonne’s. With that being said, this monograph is one of the worst. The quality of the book itself is very poor, plain cardboard cover, thin. The reproductions of the works are mediocre and the paper quality is mediocre.The essays and works have all been recycled from previous works and you are not getting any new insight or seeing any previously unpublished works.The only reason to purchase this is if you are collecting monographs and want to add it to your collection. If you want a great Basquiat monograph, purchase the new XXL by rizzoli, which is a combination of two older monographs, the Shafrazi Gallery and “the art of Jean Michel Basquiat”. It will save you the expense of having to buy those two out of print monographs which are being marked up by sellers and it will give you the best overall reproductions of his work, that I have not seen since the Gallery Navarra raisonne third edition.