The artwork titled “Snakeman,” created by Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1983, is an abstract piece from the Neo-Expressionism and Street Art movements. It was executed using a combination of acrylic, charcoal, crayon, pastel, and pencil. The piece, which measures 57 x 76.5 cm, is part of “The Daros Suite of Thirty-Two Drawings” and is held in the Daros Collection in Zürich, Switzerland.
The artwork is a vivid and dynamic composition featuring a collage of text, symbols, and imagery. Dominating the center is a large, red abstract form, reminiscent of an explosion or a splatter, with white, snake-like markings on top. Scattered around this central figure are various words, numbers, and drawings, including faces, a grid with small portraits, and a detailed green illustration labeled “Snakeman” with sharp, pronounced teeth. The background is a mixture of off-white and beige tones, creating a stark contrast with the red, black, and green elements. The seemingly chaotic, yet deliberate arrangement of disparate elements creates a sense of frenetic energy and layered meaning typical of Basquiat’s work, evoking themes of identity, mortality, and cultural critique.
