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Hans Werner Holzwarth
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Jean-michel Basquiat XXL Hardcover – November 12, 2018

by Hans Werner Holzwarth (Editor), Benedikt Taschen (Director), Eleanor Nairne (Contributor)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 185 ratings
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The legend of Jean-Michel Basquiat is as strong as ever. Synonymous with New York in the 1980s, the artist first appeared in the late 1970s under the tag SAMO, spraying caustic comments and fragmented poems on the walls of the city. He appeared as part of a thriving underground scene of visual arts and graffiti, hip hop, post-punk, and DIY filmmaking, which met in a booming art world. As a painter with a strong personal voice, Basquiat soon broke into the established milieu, exhibiting in galleries around the world.

Basquiat’s expressive style was based on raw figures and integrated words and phrases. His work is inspired by a pantheon of luminaries from jazz, boxing, and basketball, with references to arcane history and the politics of street life—so when asked about his subject matter, Basquiat answered “royalty, heroism and the streets.” In 1983 he started collaborating with the most famous of art stars, Andy Warhol, and in 1985 was on the cover of The New York Times Magazine. When Basquiat died at the age of 27, he had become one of the most successful artists of his time.

This book allows an unprecedented insight into Basquiat’s art, with pristine reproductions of his most seminal paintings, drawings, and notebook sketches. In large-scale format, the book offers vivid proximity to Basquiat’s intricate marks and scribbled words, further illuminated by an introduction to the artist from editor Hans Werner Holzwarth, as well as an essay on his themes and artistic development from curator and art historian Eleanor Nairne. Richly illustrated year-by-year chapter breaks follow the artist’s life and quote from his own statements and contemporary reviews to provide both personal background and historical context.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    498 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Taschen America Llc
  4. Publication date
    November 12, 2018
  5. Dimensions
    12.4 x 3.2 x 18.1 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    3836550377
  7. ISBN-13
    978-3836550376
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
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From the Publisher

Jean-Michel Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat

Brilliant Basquiat

Get up close to the bold brushwork and scribbled words of Jean-Michel Basquiat, one of the most successful artists of his time. This XXL-sized monograph gathers Basquiat’s major works in pristine reproduction. Texts by editor Hans Werner Holzwarth and curator and art historian Eleanor Nairne introduce us to a legend synonymous with 1980s New York.

The most comprehensive edition to date

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat

The legend of Jean-Michel Basquiat is as strong as ever. Synonymous with New York in the 1980s, the artist first appeared in the late 1970s under the tag SAMO, spraying caustic comments and fragmented poems on the walls of the city. He appeared as part of a thriving underground scene of visual arts and graffiti, hip hop, post-punk, and DIY filmmaking, which met in a booming art world. As a painter with a strong personal voice, Basquiat soon broke into the established milieu, exhibiting in galleries around the world.

Basquiat’s expressive style was based on raw figures and integrated words and phrases. His work is inspired by a pantheon of luminaries from jazz, boxing, and basketball, with references to arcane history and the politics of street life—so when asked about his subject matter, Basquiat answered “royalty, heroism and the streets.” In 1983 he started collaborating with the most famous of art stars, Andy Warhol, and in 1985 was on the cover of The New York Times Magazine. When Basquiat died at the age of 27, he had become one of the most successful artists of his time.

This book allows an unprecedented insight into Basquiat’s art, with pristine reproductions of his most seminal paintings, drawings, and notebook sketches. In large-scale format, the book offers vivid proximity to Basquiat’s intricate marks and scribbled words, further illuminated by an introduction to the artist from editor Hans Werner Holzwarth, as well as an essay on his themes and artistic development from curator and art historian Eleanor Nairne.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Richly illustrated year-by-year chapter breaks follow the artist’s life and quote from his own statements and contemporary reviews to provide both personal background and historical context.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A must-have… A cult object composed of exceptional reproductions of Basquiat's most important paintings, drawings, and sketches.” ― Vogue.com

About the Author

Eleanor Nairne is a curator at the Barbican Art Gallery. She has worked on a number of critically acclaimed exhibitions and publications, including Basquiat: Boom for Real (2017) and Imran Qureshi: Where the Shadows are so Deep (2016). Prior to the Barbican, she was curator of the Artangel Collection at Tate. She is a regular catalogue essayist, a writer for frieze, and a previous Jerwood Writer in Residence.

Hans Werner Holzwarth is a book designer and editor specializing in contemporary art and photography. His TASCHEN publications include the Collector’s Editions Jeff Koons, Christopher Wool, Albert Oehlen, Ai Weiwei, and the David Hockney SUMO A Bigger Book, as well as monographs like the XXL-sized Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Taschen America Llc; XXL Edition (November 12, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 498 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 3836550377
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3836550376
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.43 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.4 x 3.2 x 18.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 185 ratings

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Hans Werner Holzwarth

Hans Werner Holzwarth

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
185 global ratings
Stunning
5 Stars
Stunning
This is a masterpiece of Jean Michel's work. A massive size of 16x14 and 7.5 kilos, it is worth every penny! Taschen has come through.
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Top reviews from the United States

Chris Mac
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
Massive Book great images
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Warren Steele
5.0 out of 5 stars A very big, very beautiful book.
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
Everything down to the packaging was beautiful. I couldn’t even bring myself to get rid of the box it came in although I’m not sure what to do with it yet, many guy frame it now that I think of it, lol.

Moving on, the collection is wonderful. The artwork is beautiful. If you are wondering whether or not to buy this or the 40th anniversary release, I have both and would say the biggest difference other than size (this is not a book to travel with, the 40 is and I do!) is that the 40th has much brighter, slightly sharper renditions of these prints while this version is much more of a visual experience. You could literally sit with someone and enjoy this book together.

Other than that, the books are identical. If I had it to do again, I might just stick with the 40th but mainly due to my current, very downsized living situation. Having this, I was planning on gifting the 40th but it’s travel-able size has compelled me to hang onto both.
13 people found this helpful
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Davo
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly AWESOME monograph!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2019
Verified Purchase
I am an artist and a collector of artist monographs. This new (12/2018) volume is a wonderful book! It is a heavy monster and was professionally packed - a huge shipping box, an inner box that held the book, a slipcase outer covering with a handle, then the book itself. It's the first time I've seen this done.
The book itself is a masterpiece of Basquiat's works from 1979 until his death. It has several essays on his life, style of painting and critiques. The works are displayed in high detail - several are foldouts. The color and reproductions are terrific. The paper each page is printed on is heavy, I'd guess 65lbs. or so. That's a new for me as well.
I would highly recommend this monograph to any art student, Basquiat fan or collector. How anyone can give it just a two-star review is beyond me.
31 people found this helpful
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S. Farrell
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2023
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Jean Michel Basquiat is my favorite artist and has inspired my art. I own many, many Basquiat books, both mainstream and rare, and this is my favorite. Huge and amazing. Must buy for Basquiat fans.
6 people found this helpful
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Karie A Casper
5.0 out of 5 stars Large and in charge
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024
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I was looking for a large format coffee table book to style on new shelves in our home. This book was in my cart for months and I pulled the trigger when it went on sale. I kid you not when I say it felt like this book was 40 pounds, it's much larger than I expected. BUT it's one of the favorite pieces on my shelves and everyone comments on how great it looks! When I got it I spent some time skimming through the book and it's very well put together. I've purchased a few books from the publisher TASCHEN and have loved every one!
One person found this helpful
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Christopher C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book filled with content and context!
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2019
Verified Purchase
I had the chance to review a few books before made this purchase and I have to say this is the best book! I was able to see the Basquiat exhibit in Paris at the Foundation of Louis Vuitton who also has a book. That book is nice but like what other people have said the quality is not that good. Plus a lot of the paintings in that book are in this one. This book also has more paintings of works that will not be scene due to them being held by private collectors. One example is the famed Devil painting. You wont see this in the Louis Vuitton book but you would see it in this book. This is a great book and I would recommend it as staple for your coffee table.
5 people found this helpful
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Booksmart
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential!
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2022
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The book itself is a work of art. This is a great (and very BIG) book for both the novice and connoisseur of the amazing Jean-Michel Basquiat. Only thing is you will want to tear out certain pages and frame them!
3 people found this helpful
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Dancer and Manager
5.0 out of 5 stars He loved his gift. Wrapped very well!
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
Liked the wrapping of the book, protected very well! Bought the gift for my partner for our anniversary, Basquiat is his favorite artist. He sat and looked through half the book I’m one sitting. Book was quality and colorful.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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CeaseFireForever
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely stunning
Reviewed in Canada on March 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
The book is quite intimidating given it’s size. I’ve never owned a book this big! It’s glorious to see all his paintings so alive and bright, sometimes taking up two full pages. I sit in my bed with this book open and it really is a pleasure, it’s like walking through an art gallery. You see all the little details, like high definition. Excellent quality. Worth the high dollar amount.
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Amazon Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars PERFEKT ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviewed in Germany on August 30, 2023
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Herzlichen Dank:)
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 3, 2022
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Fabulous quality, a super art object in its own right.
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Yann
5.0 out of 5 stars Valeur sûre
Reviewed in France on July 30, 2019
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Très beau livre et très complet sur les oeuvres de Basquiat
One person found this helpful
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Oscar8
5.0 out of 5 stars ES UN LIBRO DE ALTISIMA CALIDAD Y ABUNDANTE CANTIDAD DE IMAGENES E INFORMACION
Reviewed in Spain on February 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
Tuve la suerte de presenciar una muestra de Basquiat en Rio de Janeiro y quede asombrado de este artista y decidi comprarme un buen libro sobre el. la verdad que este que he comprador no me ha decepcionado por el contrario es fantastic, tiene muchas de las obras que vi en Rio de Janeiro y mas con una altisima calidad de impression y excelentes comentarios (en ingles). vale la pena la inversion, es para disfrutarlo toda la vida
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