“King Pleasure,” a 1987 artwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat, exemplifies the Neo-Expressionism and Street Art movements for which the artist is celebrated. Executed in acrylic on canvas, this figurative piece measures 126 by 100 centimeters and is part of a private collection.
The artwork is characterized by a predominant yellow background, upon which Basquiat has inscribed the words “KING PLEASURE” in bold, uppercase letters. Above this text, a rudimentary crown symbol—a motif recurrent in Basquiat’s oeuvre—commands attention. The canvas reveals Basquiat’s signature use of graffiti-like marks and textual elements, underpinned by his raw and unpolished style. The composition is minimalist yet potent, encapsulating the vigor and spontaneity for which Basquiat is renowned. The sporadic use of additional, darker pigments and the visible drips of paint contribute to the artwork’s dynamic texture, altogether embodying the fervent energy of the Neo-Expressionism and Street Art movements.
