Jean-Michel Basquiat Age at Death and Birth Date
Jean-Michel Basquiat was born on December 22, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York, which means his final age at death was 27 years old. He died on August 12, 1988, in Manhattan, New York, from a heroin overdose, cutting short a meteoric rise in the global art world. His short life and rapid ascent are central to his market profile and continue to influence auction results today Forbes.
Basquiat began his career as a graffiti artist under the pseudonym SAMO© before transitioning to canvas and gallery exhibitions in the early 1980s. His age during this breakthrough period was between 21 and 27, the same years that produced his most iconic neo-expressionist works featuring crowns, skulls, and fragmented anatomy.
Key Dates in Jean-Michel Basquiat Career
Basquiat held his first solo gallery show in 1981 at the Annina Nosei Gallery in New York when he was 20 years old. By 1982, at age 21, he became one of the youngest artists to exhibit at the prestigious Documenta in Kassel, Germany, and was already collaborating with Andy Warhol Britannica.
In 1983, Basquiat was featured on the cover of The New York Times Magazine, highlighting his rapid fame at age 22. His market presence grew further when his paintings appeared in major group exhibitions across the United States and Europe during the mid-1980s, cementing his legacy before his death at 27.
Jean-Michel Basquiat Age and Market Value
Several of Basquiat's works have sold for record prices at auction, with Untitled (1982) fetching $110.5 million at Sotheby's in 2017, setting a record for American artists at the time. His age at the creation of these masterpieces ranged from 21 to 27, which amplifies their rarity and cultural significance Christie's.
Today, Basquiat's market is driven by institutional collectors, hedge funds, and high-net-worth individuals seeking blue-chip contemporary art. His short career and early age at death contribute to a supply shortage that keeps demand consistently high, with major works regularly appearing in top-tier auctions worldwide Artsy.