Fight Night: Basquiat's The Boxer at Christie's

Basquiat, his painting that is, will be facing a different market than his work did in the 1980s

I remember learning from my brother in the 1990s that Lars Ulrich, the drummer for Metallica, is a collector of art. Thus, it came as no surprise to see him mentioned in the news concerning a piece from his collection. Ulrich plans to place an untitled Basquiat for sale in New York through Christie’s. The untitled paintings, unofficially known as ‘The Boxer’, depicts an African American boxer at the moment of victory. Symbols of death haunt the boxers success-- just as struggles and addictions haunted the relatively short life of Basquiat.

Untitled, (known unofficially as The Boxer) by Basquiat

The piece may very well represent the brutality of the ‘sweet science’ while offering social commentary about race relations at the same time. The painting will likely bring more financial success to Ulrich regardless of the meaning behind the painting. It is estimated that the painting may fetch as much as $16 million at auction. If that happens the sale will break the previous record-- $14 million-- for a Basquiat painting at auction. In the end the late Basquiat's work will land a knockout punch over the market. Place your bets.

Links of Interest:
Metallica Drummer to Sell Basquiat ‘Boxer’ [New York Times]

Metallica Drummer Puts $12 Million `Boxer’ Basquiat Up for Sale [Bloomberg]

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin

Senior Editor

www.myartspace.com