antiquesandartireland.com

THE record for a work by Jean Michel Basquiat is likely to be broken with Dustheads at Christie’s evening auction of Post War and Contemporary art in New York on May 15.  Dustheads, estimated at $25-35 million, was executed in 1982 when Basquiat was at the height of his creative development and fame.  Set against a backdrop of intense, inky blackness the brightly coloured figures represent the ultimate tour de force of expressive line, colour and form that embodies his work. Combining raw, unabashed emotion with unrivalled draughtsmanship it is the epitome of Basquiat’s signature style. Christie’s say it is likely to break the $26.6 million record they set for a 1981 work, Untitled, last November.

The sale features the most important work by Jackson Pollock to appear at auction in two decades. No. 19, 1948 is estimated at $25-35 million and is one of the drip paintings that Pollock made in a legendary three year creative burst from 1947 to 1950.  These works re-shaped the history of 20th century art.