Jean-Michel Basque at Christie's
ARTinvestment.RU   14 октября 2008

At the tender pieces of postwar and contemporary art on Nov. 12 will be one of the most famous paintings by black artists - «Boxer». It comes from the collection of musicians from the group Metallica Lars Ulrich

November 12 in New York will be bidding works of postwar and contemporary art Christie's, one of the top lots are a painting «Untitled» ( «boxer») a famous American artist Jean-Michel Basque (Jean - Michel Basquiat). It is expected to surpass the record pictures «Untitled», sold in 2007 for 14.6 million dollars and will be the most expensive paintings. The work comes from the collection of an American musician Lars Ulrich (Lars Ulrich), a great admirer of «wild», emotional art.

Artworks Baskov listed on the art market is very high. Last year he even went into the Top-10 artists on the auction turnover of money . His work is especially popular with German buyers: Perhaps the reason is that bright, emotional canvases of American child prodigy remind them of their creativity, relatives expressionists. Biography of the Basque is worthy of a rock star: this handsome black guy in a short time, done the way from New York podvoroten, where he painted their graffiti, and the most fashionable galleries, glove called «martyr of contemporary art». Basque is one of the symbols of the New York art scenes of the 1980's. He played in the punk group, friends with Andy Warhol (Andy Warhol), depicted on his canvases the most important characters of African-American culture and hip-hop sprodyusiroval plate, which is now considered one of the most expensive vinyl records in this genre. Basque is not with the status the next New York «damned poet» - he wanted to be a superstar. Enterprising art dealers, razglyadevshie it «promising material», seized in an artist with iron teeth. For Basque Máchovo wheel of a marketing machine to work with triple force, because of what many have begun to say that his art seriously overvalued. But the young man was unable to fully enjoy the dividends of which brought him fame loud. Basque suffered from heroin addiction and died very young - at 27 years old.

As it is usually conducted around the Basque formed a real cult. He became the most famous artist of African-American and entered the pantheon of idols of black America. Over the past few years the prices of his works had grown up, and largely thanks to this, the art market became the fashion for street art. Baskov success is largely predetermined current popularity of «street artists», such as Banks (Banksy).

Artwork «Boxer» was written in 1982, when the artist was only 22 years. And its success has not yet been considered a symbol of ruthless marketing. The painter felt this self-portrait. Specialists believe that the picture symbolizes the phenomenon of black superstar: a boxer, shown in the picture could be a triumphant warrior, and desperate victim. «Boxer» has become a major retrospective exhibit of the Basque, which took place in 2005-2006 in several major U.S. museums.

«Boxer» spent ten years in the collections of the famous group of Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. Ulrich grew up in Denmark, where his father, champion tennis player Torben Ulrich (Torben Ulrich) communicated with the most advanced musicians and artists. Lars started his collection with works by artists from the group CoBrA, such as Asger Jorn (Asger Jorn) and Karel Appel (Karel Appel). In his works, often similar to the Basque neoekspressionizm members CoBrA inspired creativity of Paul Klee (Paul Klee) and Joan Miró (Joan Miro), as well as «primitive» art. Later assembly Ulrich added other masterpieces «rough», emotional paintings, especially paintings of Jean Dyubyuffe (Jean Dubuffet), Sam Francis (Sam Francis), and Basque. The musician has exhibited the work of Basque at auction: in 2002 «The Prophet I» from his collection went for 5.5 million dollars at auction Christie's, becoming the most expensive work of black artists. This record was beaten only five years later.

Among the other top lots upcoming auction Christie's - the work of Gerhard Richter (Gerhard Richter), Alexander Kaldera (Alexander Calder), Mark Rothko (Mark Rothko) , Ellsuorta Kelly (Ellsworth Kelly), Richard Prince (Richard Prince) and Takashi Murakami (Takashi Murakami). And of course, do not forget about drawings of abstract expressionists, who offered up for auction Kathy tail (Kathy Fuld), wife of chapter failed bank Lehman Brothers.

Material prepared Yulia Maksimova

Sources: artknowledgenews.com , artdaily.org , artinvestment.ru