Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (ELMAR) 1982. Photo: Jean Bourbon. Courtesy Phillips
BY SEAN LEYWES
NEW YORK-NY.,-Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Untitled (ELMAR) stands as a monumental testament to the artist’s prowess, a significant piece from his 1982 collection. This masterpiece, currently in the collection of anthropologist Francesco Pellizzi, will go on auction at the Phillips Auction House in New York. It has an estimated value ranging from $40 to $60 million.
Untitled (ELMAR) is a sprawling canvas, nearly eight feet wide, showcasing Basquiat’s unique artistic vision. Rich in symbolism and self-referential imagery, the painting depicts a modern-day Icarus on the brink of descent. He is targeted by an archer releasing two arrows toward him.
Jean-Michel Basquiat: Symbolism and Powerful Imagery
One side of the canvas features a figure reminiscent of a “fallen angel,” with a bird-like shape and a crown of thorns. It symbolizes both a halo and vulnerability. This celestial figure hovers over a vibrant expanse of scribbled waves, resembling a luminous blue sea. The text “ELMAR” grounds the scene, suggesting a narrative akin to the mythical story of Icarus.
In contrast, on the opposite side of the canvas, a radiant archer takes aim, also crowned like his celestial counterpart, shooting two arrows with clear intent. This contrast of the divine and the earthly, the spiritual and the grounded, reveals Basquiat’s exploration of duality within his own persona.
Untitled (ELMAR) has a rich history, having appeared in significant exhibitions. It was in a 1989 exhibition on Pellizzi’s collection at the Hofstra Museum in New York. The painting was also in a commemorative exhibition marking the 10th anniversary of Basquiat’s passing at Gagosian Los Angeles in 1998. Furthermore, it was part of the artist’s retrospective at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris in 2018.
With an estimated value of $40 to $60 million, Untitled (ELMAR) is a testament to Basquiat’s creative zenith. This masterpiece will no doubt captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike at the auction. It will also reaffirm Basquiat’s legacy as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
I don’t listen to what art critics say. I don’t know anybody who needs a critic to find out what art is.
Jean-Michel Basquiat