Many people know Jean-Michel Basquiat's works by the crown they see in his paintings. They view the crown as a symbol of an artist's vulnerability and power. What makes this artist's works so desirable?
Jean-Michel Basquiat's Short Life
Born in 1960, Basquiat started his career as a graffiti artist. His neo-expressionist paintings carry elements of graffiti, but they also have touches of postmodernism and abstract expressionism.
These works often depict class and racial issues, doing so subversively. They caught the eye of Andy Warhol, and Warhol promoted Basquiat's work. This helped to establish Basquiat as a leading artist. To learn more about his short life and career, check this out.
The Meaning of the Crown
The Basquiat crown became an iconic symbol of his work and now appears on everyday objects. Nobody can say definitively what the crown is supposed to symbolize. Some feel it represents success and wealth due to the bright colors used to depict the crown. These same colors are often seen on royal figures.
However, some people feel the crown could symbolize a person's ability to be anything they desire in life. Other individuals say it is a sign that a person cannot overcome the hereditary monarchy.
One theory is that the crown symbolizes rebellion. Its presence in paintings depicting social and political notions led them to this conclusion. Nevertheless, there are only a few of the many theories concerning the meaning of the crown. Regardless of what a person believes, they cannot dispute the fact that the crown appears to embody the artist's ideas on a wide range of topics. To see the crown in some of his works, click this link.
Famous Works
The Crown appears in Red Kings, a painting Basquiat did in 1981 that includes both him and Pablo Picasso. It also appears in Basquiat's paintings Untitled, Dos Cabezas, and Pez Dispenser, along with many others.
Other Symbols in Basquiat's Works
The crown isn't the only figurative symbol found in the artist's works. People also find skeletons, people, and animals. Dinosaurs appear in his paintings and symbolize more than people would originally assume. Head over to this page to learn more about his work and what makes it treasured long after his early demise.
These symbols helped Basquiat rise in the art world. He showed a talent for taking familiar images and objects and providing them with new meanings. This allowed him to share complex ideas in a way anyone could understand.
Sadly, Basquiat lost his life to a heroin overdose before the world could see the full scope of his talent. In his short life, however, he was able to depict life with all its complexities and contradictions. For this reason, he is sorely missed by all who love art.
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