The Ultimate Book List of Jean-Michel Basquiat
The best books about Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Basquiat
Basquiat by Leonhard Emmerling is a great introductory book to Jean-Michel Basquiat. Part of TASCHEN’s Basic Art Series, the book presents a chronological overview of Basquiat’s iconic life and career. You will learn about his artistic influence through both cultural and historical lenses. There are also approximately 100 artworks shown throughout the book, accompanied by extensive captions.
Basquiat: Boom for Real
Basquiat: Boom for Real by Eleanor Nairne was released in 2020, accompanied by an exhibition at the Barbican Art Gallery. The book examines Jean-Michel Basquiat’s career through a wider art historical context.
It comprises six chapters, including essays from poet Christian Campbell on SAMO©; curator Carlo McCormick on New York / New Wave; writer Glenn O’Brien on the downtown scene; academic Jordana Moore Saggese on Basquiat’s relationship to film and television; and music scholar Francesco Martinelli on Basquiat’s obsession with jazz. It also features rare archival materials and photography.
Jean-Michel Basquiat. (40th Edition)
Jean-Michel Basquiat. (40th Edition) published by TASCHEN is one of the most popular books of the symbolic New York artist. First published in a massive XXL edition, this new edition comes in a much more compact size and affordable price, celebrating TASCHEN’s 40th anniversary.
Each chapter chronologically examines Jean-Michel Basquiat’s career through his seminal paintings, drawings, sketches, and words. It also provides concise insights into Basquiat’s background, art themes, and artistic development.
The Notebooks (The Sketchbooks, 1)
The Notebooks edited by Larry Warsh offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the fascinating mind and thought processes of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
From 1980 to 1987, Basquiat created multiple working notebooks documenting his inspirations and interests. For the first time, this facsimile edition recreates iconic pages from eight of these notebooks. It is filled with “behind the scenes” sketches and texts, demonstrating Basquiat’s obsession with music, art, comics, and politics.
Warhol on Basquiat: The Iconic Relationship Told in Andy Warhol’s Words and Pictures
As you can tell by the title, Warhol on Basquiat focuses on the complex yet intriguing relationship between Jean-Michel Basquiat and legendary artist Andy Warhol.
Produced by The Andy Warhol Foundation and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s estate, the book documents the duo’s relationship through hundreds of previously unpublished photographs, with occasional appearances from iconic figures like Madonna and Keith Haring. It also showcases ample collaborative artwork from the artists and rare diary entries from Andy Warhol.
The Jean-Michel Basquiat Reader
The Jean-Michel Basquiat Reader by scholar Jordana Moore Saggese is one of the most thorough sourcebooks about the artist. The book presents a comprehensive picture of Basquiat’s artwork, ideologies, and influences.
It uses a broad spectrum of sources including his interviews, previously unpublished research, critical essays, and criticisms. It is the perfect book for those who want to dive deep into contemporary art, American art, and art history.
Basquiat-isms
Basquiat-isms is a small but critical publication of Jean-Michel Basquiat, edited by Larry Warsh. Unlike most of the books on this list, Basquiat-isms focuses heavily on text rather than illustrations. The book presents a collection of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s most important quotes, curated from his interviews and artwork. It offers a unique insight into how Basquiat views the world and other abstract subjects.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, quoted in Basquiat-isms-
I cross out words so you will see them more; the fact that they are obscured makes you want to read them.
Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure
Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure is primarily written by Basquiat’s family, notably Lisane Basquiat, Jeanine Heriveaux, and Nora Fitzpatrick, her two sisters and stepmother. It presents the distinct story of Jean-Michel Basquiat through the intimate perspective of his family.
The book discusses multiple notable periods in Basquiat’s life, accompanied by comprehensive interviews with his family members. It offers a first-hand view of Basquiat’s relationship with his family and friends. You will also find a rare and largely unseen collection of artwork from the Jean-Michel Basquiat Estate.
Basquiat: The Modena Paintings
Unlike the previous publications, Basquiat: The Modena Paintings by Iris Hasler focuses on a collection of eight paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat made in the summer of 1982, when he traveled to Modena, Italy, for one of his first solo exhibitions in Europe at the gallery of Emilio Mazzoli.
Painted within a few days, these large-scale paintings are now widely considered as some of Basquiat’s most prominent and pivotal works. The book dives deep into these paintings as they were reunited for the first time in an exhibition earlier this year.