Taxi, 45th/Broadway

Taxi, 45th/Broadway
Artist	Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol
Year	1984-85
Medium	Acrylic, oilstick, and silkscreen ink on canvas
Dimensions	196.2 cm × 272.4 cm (77.2 in × 107.2 in)
Location	Private collection

Taxi, 45th/Broadway is a painting created by American artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol circa 1984–85. The artwork sold at Sotheby's for $9.4 million in November 2018.[1]

History

Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat were formally introduced by Swiss art dealer Bruno Bischofberger in 1982.[2] Warhol was a renowned celebrity looking for renewed energy to revitalize his work and Basquiat had achieved recognition for his neo-expressionist paintings. Between 1984 and 1985, they created a series large collaborative works.[2] As summarized by close friend and artist Keith Haring: "The paintings that resulted from this collaboration are the perfect testimony to the depth and importance of their friendship. The quality of the paintings mirrors the quality of the relationship."[3]

Taxi 45th/Broadway depicts a black man labeled "NEGRO" as he unsuccessfully attempts to hail a cab at 45th Street and Broadway. Meanwhile, a white taxi driver ignores him and curses profanities. This scenario was a reality for Basquiat.[4] Despite his meteoric rise from a downtown street artist to a sensation of the New York art scene, he still faced discrimination due to his race. "Being black and a kid and having dreadlocks, he couldn't even get a taxi," Haring said.[5]

Taxi, 45th/Broadway was previously in the collection of fashion designer Gianni Versace, and was auctioned by Sotheby's in London for £478,400 ($872,992) in 2005.[6] In November 2018, it exceeded the pre-sale estimate of $6–$8 million, selling for $9.4 million at Sotheby's Contemporary Art Evening Auction in New York.[7]

See also

• List of paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat

References

1. "Contemporary Art Brings $362 Million, As New Records Are Set for Three African-American Artists". Sotheby's. November 14, 2018.
2. Scott, Chadd. "Judge Jean-Michel Basquiat-Andy Warhol Collaborations For Yourself At Jack Shainman Gallery's The School". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
3. Warhol, Andy; Ketner, Joseph D.; Hartley, Keith S.; Volk, Gregory; Bischofberger, Bruno; Haring, Keith; Schnabel, Julian (2009). Andy Warhol, the Last Decade. Milwaukee Art Museum. p. 205. ISBN 978-3-7913-4344-0.
4. Maneker, Marion (September 28, 2018). "Sotheby's Basquiat Mini-Collection with $25m Pollo Frito + 3 Other Works". Art Market Monitor. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
5. Wines, Michael (August 27, 1988). "Jean Michel Basquiat: Hazards Of Sudden Success and Fame". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
6. Kinsella, Eileen (October 1, 2018). "The Basquiat Blitz Continues: Sotheby's Will Auction Four Blockbuster Works by the Artist This Fall". artnet News. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
7. Barker, Chris (November 29, 2018). "Basquiat and Warhol Contemporary Art Collaboration Sells for $9.4 Million at New York Auction". Chelmer Fine Art. Retrieved 2021-01-13.