The artwork “Riding with Death” was created by artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1988, utilizing acrylic and crayon on canvas as his mediums. This piece, measuring 249 x 289.5 cm, is a figurative work representative of the Neo-Expressionism and Street art movements. Currently housed in a private collection, it stands as a testament to Basquiat’s unique visual language and his exploration of life, death, and the existential experiences bridging the two.
The artwork portrays a dynamic and somewhat ambiguous scene set against a brownish background. At the center, there is a figure sketched in a primitive and raw manner, typical of Basquiat’s style, seated on top of a skeleton or skeletal being that appears to serve as a mount. The figure itself is incomplete, roughly drawn with exposed ribs and crude outlines, suggesting movement and instability. The skeleton beneath is almost disassembled, with bones scattered yet oriented to imply forward motion.
There is a palpable tension in the limbs’ gestures and the placement of the bones, which, along with the title of the piece, might allude to the theme of mortality and the ever-present journey alongside death. The use of crayon accentuates the immediateness and the intensity of the subject. Notably, the skull of the carried figure bears a prominent X across the face, which can be interpreted as a symbol of negation or erasure, themes often found in Basquiat’s work.
Overall, in “Riding with Death,” Jean-Michel Basquiat’s signature raw linework and symbolic imagery combine to evoke a sense of urgency and reflection on the human condition, juxtaposing life’s vitality with the inescapable presence of death.
