A long-hidden treasure in the art world is about to make a spectacular return as a marquee attraction at Sotheby's fall auction in New York. The artwork in question is none other than "Self Portrait as a Heel (Part Two)," a monumental creation by the legendary Jean-Michel Basquiat, dating back to 1982. This imposing piece stands at an impressive eight feet in height and is expected to command a price between $40 million and $60 million when it goes under the hammer. Such large-scale and high-quality Basquiat works rarely appear at auctions, and the anticipation surrounding this sale is palpable.
To put this into context, the last time a Basquiat work of similar stature appeared on the market was in 2017, with an untitled skull painting from the same year selling for a jaw-dropping $110 million at Sotheby's. While "Self Portrait as a Heel (Part Two)" may not quite reach that stratospheric figure, even achieving a sale within its estimated range would position it among the most highly valued pieces by Basquiat ever offered to the public.
What makes this particular artwork all the more fascinating is its backstory. Basquiat crafted this self-portrait while residing in the Venice home of renowned art dealer Larry Gagosian, who would later organize the artist's very first exhibition on the West Coast. Sotheby's art experts believe that this piece is a reflection of Basquiat's experiences in Los Angeles during a period when he was rapidly ascending in the art world but still remained relatively anonymous in the city. During this prolific phase of his career, Basquiat incorporated the word "heel" into three of his works, alluding to punk or delinquent subculture. Furthermore, in the realm of professional wrestling, a "heel" character is typically the villain or antagonist, adding another layer of complexity to this remarkable artwork.
David Galperin, Head of Contemporary Art for Sotheby's America, aptly describes the significance of this piece, stating, "Unlike other paintings by Basquiat that subtly reference himself, this painting consciously portrays an image not only of how he saw himself but also how he believed others inevitably perceived him—a testament to his exploration of self-identity and his vision for the lasting legacy of his art."
For art enthusiasts and collectors, this auction presents a unique opportunity to acquire a piece of Basquiat's legacy that has been hidden from public view since 1999, when it was last seen at Christie's, fetching a price of $772,000. The painting was previously owned by Belgian collector Stéphane Janssen, an early supporter of Basquiat, who acquired it from Gagosian shortly after its creation. The consignor of the artwork obtained it from the London gallery Blain Southern before the gallery's closure in 2020.
"Self Portrait as a Heel (Part Two)" is set to captivate art lovers once again, as it will be exhibited at Sotheby's New York galleries starting on November 1, ahead of its highly anticipated auction appearance on November 15.
Jean Dubreil
