Bidspirit auction | JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988), DINOSAUR, 1983,

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988), DINOSAUR, 1983, ACRYLIC AND OIL STICK ON CANVAS - JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988), DINOSAUR, 1983, ACRYLIC AND OIL STICK ON CANVAS Dimensions: Image size: 75 x 61.2 cm. All measured values are approximate. Signature: Jean-Michel Basquiat Description: A highly energetic composition dominated by a large black dinosaur-like figure emerging against an intensely saturated field of yellow, orange, and red. The creature is rendered with an elongated head, exposed teeth, red eyes, angular limbs, and a sweeping tail, creating an aggressive and immediately recognizable central presence. Surrounding the figure is a dense network of crowns, stars, arrows, fragmented words, symbols, repeated lines, and spontaneous gestural marks executed in black, blue, red, and gray. The word ”CAPITAN” appears prominently across the central field, while additional partially legible inscriptions contribute to the layered interaction between image and language characteristic of Basquiat's visual vocabulary. Broad areas of acrylic color are interrupted by rapidly applied oil-stick lines, producing a raw surface in which drawing and painting remain deliberately intertwined. The crown motif at the upper left reinforces one of the most recognizable symbols associated with Basquiat's work, while the dinosaur-like subject introduces themes of power, instinct, aggression, and primitive imagery. The reverse bears a large crown drawing positioned above the name ”BASQUIAT.” The combination of bold animal imagery, textual fragments, emblematic symbols, and vigorous mark-making gives the work a strong visual presence closely associated with Basquiat's early 1980s practice.