The artwork “Monticello” by Jean-Michel Basquiat, created in 1983, is an expressive example of Neo-Expressionism and Street art. Employing a diverse range of media including acrylic, charcoal, crayon, pastel, and pencil, Basquiat combines these elements into a figurative genre that captures a raw and evocative aesthetic. This particular drawing is part of “The Daros Suite of Thirty-Two Drawings” and is held in the Daros Collection in Zürich, Switzerland. The piece measures 57 x 76.5 cm.
The artwork features a convergence of text, symbols, and abstract forms rendered in various mediums. Faces, words, and an eclectic array of imagery populate the composition. There appears to be a mix of human figures, abstract shapes, and interspersed text, including references to historical concepts like the “Masonic Lodge” and “Monticello.” A prominent head is depicted in the center, with an amalgamation of vivid colors contrasting starkly against more subdued shades, intertwined with fragmented phrases and symbols such as “CRO-MAGNON” and “POWER SEATS.” The arrangement and layering signify a complex, almost chaotic narrative, typical of Basquiat’s signature style.
