The artwork titled “Horn Players” by Jean-Michel Basquiat, created in 1983, is executed using acrylic and crayon on canvas. Measuring 244 x 190.5 cm, it fits within the Neo-Expressionism and Street art movements and stands as a figurative piece. The piece features three distinct panels, each of which contains vibrant and chaotic elements entwined with text and imagery, showcasing Basquiat’s trademark style of integrating words and fragmented figures into his compositions.
The artwork displays stylized portraits of two influential jazz musicians, with references to the renowned performers Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, indicated by the text scattered across the central panel. The left and right figures hold musical instruments, alluding to their roles as saxophonist and trumpeter, respectively. Basquiat’s approach combines crude, expressive brushwork with schematic outlines and anatomical sketches, set against a predominantly dark background that amplifies the contrast and intensity of the imagery. Intricately scrawled words such as “ORNITHOLOGY” and “ALCHEMY” contribute to the dynamic interplay between text and visual elements, encapsulating the artist’s fascination with language and its associative meaning.
