The artwork, entitled “Jawbone of an Ass,” was created by the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1982. It is rendered using pencil, canvas, and paper, aligning with the Neo-Expressionism and Street Art movements. The dimensions of this figurative piece of art are 152.5 x 213.5 cm.
In the artwork, Basquiat employs his signature style of chaotic, dense composition with a plethora of text, symbols, and figures. Dominating the center is a list of historical names and events, scribbled in Basquiat’s distinct handwriting, overlaid with striking colors and seemingly random shapes. The juxtaposition of stark black lines and vibrant hues, alongside abstract and rough sketches of crowns, faces, and fragmented anatomical parts, exemplifies Basquiat’s unrefined yet profound commentary on historical and social themes. The eclectic mixture within the piece invokes a sense of raw energy and spontaneity, characteristic of his oeuvre.
