J ean-Michel Basquiat’s Crowns (Peso Neto) (1981) stands as a defining masterwork from one of the most electrifying talents in 20th-century art. Painted on Christmas Day 1981, just three days after Basquiat’s 21st birthday, the monumental canvas captures the moment the young prodigy ascended from the streets of downtown New York to the heart of the art world.
A dazzling constellation of spiritual, secular and symbolic imagery, Crowns (Peso Neto) reveals Basquiat’s deep introspection and his meditation on fame, identity and sacrifice. Executed at a pivotal turning point in his career, the work embodies the raw energy that would define his visual language — a dialogue between rebellion and reverence, between history and self-mythology.
Legendary art dealer Mary Boone, who represented Basquiat during his meteoric rise, reflects on the artist’s early years, his creative process, and the legacy of Crowns (Peso Neto) — a painting that has become a symbol of his genius and the cultural revolution he sparked. This statement piece is on offer as part of the Now & Contemporary Evening Auction taking place at Sotheby's New York on 18 November.
