Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat

Sotheby's is delighted to offer three further outstanding collaborative paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol from the Collection of Gianni Versace. that witness the dynamic union of two of America’s most formidable artistic geniuses. Each prodigious and profoundly influential figures in their own rights, their remarkable coming together during the mid 1980s witnessed a period of intense creativity and inspiration which benefited both immeasurably and nurtured some of their most powerful work. Gianni Versace's celebrated eye for outstanding design and beauty prompted his acquisition of four large collaborations by this dynamic pair, one of which was sold by Sotheby's in New York on May 10th (see above left). Executed in preparation for a joint exhibition at Tony Shafrazi's Gallery in New York in 1985, these collaborations represent Warhol's only venture with another artist and are amongst the finest examples of this fruitful synthesis to come to auction.

From different generations and sociological backgrounds and at very different stages in their lives, their mutual respect for each others radically different painting styles and aesthetics formed the basis of an intimate and lasting friendship. Their personalities also could not have been more dissimilar, Basquiat point-blank, aggressive and supremely confident in his own ability to do anything at anytime, whilst Warhol was shy and retiring and the ultimate voyeur who lived his own life through others.

As with any successful collaboration their friendship and creative partnership was founded upon admiration which ran deeper than just artistic concerns. Each had a profound fascination with the other’s impenetrable outer shell and inner vulnerability, and these two rare works are physical proof of the harmony that exited beyond the canvas.

Their creative union was not a planned venture but rather it grew from the increasing amount of time that Basquiat was spending at Warhol’s Factory. Basquiat’s disregard for technique and his energetic response to the creative process created a spectacle that inspired the older  Warhol. It seemed to push him to new heights and resulted in a looser, more fluid style of lines that literally flowed onto the canvas and many believe that Basquiat was the sole reason that Andy Warhol returned to his brushes with such vigour.

Keith Haring recalled their mutually beneficial synthesis. “Each one inspired the other to out-do the next. The collaborations were seemingly effortless. It was a physical conversation happening in paint instead of words. The sense of humour, the snide remarks, the profound realizations, the simple chit-chat all happened with paint and brushes. The atmosphere was playful and intense at the same time. Jean-Michel’s painting posture and disregard for technique created a mood of unnerving spectacle. There was a sense that one was watching something being unveiled and discovered for the first time.

“Painting with Jean-Michel was not easy. You had to forget any preconceived ideas of ownership, and be prepared to have anything you’d done completely painted over in seconds. It was a kind of total abandon which required total trust and respect. Andy loved the energy with which Jean-Michel would totally eradicate one image and enhance another. It was truly an event. There were canvases hanging all over the Factory. They worked on many at the same time, each idea inspiring the next. Layers and layers of images and ideas would build towards a concise climax. It was exciting to visit the Factory at this time.

“…The paintings which resulted from this collaboration are the perfect testimony to the depth and importance of their friendship. The quality of the paintings mirrors the quality of the relationship. The sense of humour which permeates all the works recalls the laughter while they were being made. They are truly an invention of what William S Burroughs called The Third Mind – two amazing minds fusing together to create a third totally separate and unique one.” (Keith Haring, 4 October 1988, New York)