“False,” a work by Jean-Michel Basquiat created in 1983, is part of the Neo-Expressionism and Street Art movements. Executed with acrylic, charcoal, crayon, pastel, and pencil, this artwork belongs to the figurative and symbolic painting genres. Measuring 57 x 76.5 cm, it is a component of “The Daros Suite of Thirty-Two Drawings” and resides in the Daros Collection in Zürich, Switzerland.
The artwork reveals a tapestry of historical references and symbols, rendered with a combination of text and imagery characteristic of Basquiat’s oeuvre. Featuring figures and labels such as “Alexander the Great,” “Pericles,” and “St. Paul,” the piece juxtaposes classical themes with modern commentary. Illustrations of soldiers, mythological beings, and historical events are scattered throughout, interspersed with annotations like “Pax Romana” and “Rome is sacked by Goths.” The depiction of these elements, with bold lines and vibrant highlights, creates a layered narrative exploring the intersection of history, culture, and identity.
