The artwork, titled “Jim Crow” and created by the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1986, is a significant piece in the genres of Neo-Expressionism and Street Art. This figurative artwork, rendered in crayon on wood, measures 206 x 244 cm and is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork features a central black figure with red eyes, set against a background that is intersected by horizontal lines, giving the appearance of a ledger or a lined journal. On the upper part of the artwork, the title “JIM CROW” is prominently displayed within a black rectangle bordered in red. Below this, a wavy blue line labeled “MISSISSIPPI” spans across the figure’s eyes, reminiscent of a river. Various river names such as Hudson River, Ohio River, Thames River, and others are inscribed in the lower part of the artwork, color-coded and hierarchically arranged. Repeating words “MISSISSIPPI” cascade down the lower portion of the artwork, emphasizing a layering of text. The imagery and text blend together to convey complex themes related to racial history and geographical landscapes, characteristic of Basquiat’s deeply expressive style.
