Jean-Michel Basquiat's Masterpiece 'The Guilt of Gold Teeth' | Christie's

A Jean-Michel Basquiat masterpiece of enigmatic words, signs, and cyphers. A dynamic and imposing Baron Samedi (intermediary between life and death in the Haitian voodoo practice) wears an ominous smile — a powerful reminder of the fragility of life.

Nearly 14' x 8', the present work represents the artist at the peak of his power, fully accomplished in his practice and executing works that have come to define a generation.

The present work is one of the largest in a series of paintings which Basquiat undertook during two periods he spent in Modena, Italy, in the spring of 1981 and 1982. Common themes from this group of work include religion and the fragile link between heaven and hell.

'Guilt' or 'Gilt'? The title, 'The Guilt of Gold Teeth', is an exemplar of Basquiat's devilish sense of humour, and may pay homage to the 1980s trend of Black sports and music stars wearing gold dental fillings and gold grills.

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), 'The Guilt of Gold Teeth'. Executed in 1982. Estimate: $40,000,000-80,000,000.

21st Century Art Evening Sale — 9 November 2021, New York

[quazymoodo]

To those who aren't really getting it, think of it through the lens of cubist artists like Picasso, and combine it with the aesthetics of graffiti art/hobo symbology, as well as aspects of Basquiat's life story, growing up in 1950s Harlem between NY art museums and communities impacted by heavy drugs. He also took inspiration from jazz artists, comic books, and history of the African/black diaspora. One of the most prominent themes in his work usually involves concepts relating to the abuse of black bodies throughout history, which is why many of his pieces feature dismemberment or body horror.

[bookofdust]

Wow, the vitriol of some of these comments. Nearly forty years later this art is still so shocking for many people, but if they don’t understand by now his genius I’m guessing they never will.

[lawrencescott]

Meanwhile, Jean-Michel is up there somewhere laughing his ass off at these two. Ha!

[Bambino]

Looks like something you’d stick on the fridge as not to hurt your kids feelings

[eurostarnamastar]

Can't believe how hard the 'Art' houses that own these works try to convince general public that they are masterpieces or historically important!! In reality they are minimally skilled childish scribble, no better or worse than the gross graffiti that covered the NY subways from the Bronx to Brooklyn in the 70s.

Good Art doesn't need media fueled overdrive...it's seen and felt immediately by those with vision. The absurd marketing campaigns from the Art house owners of these works are worse than the paintings. All in a day's work to make big money! A lie said enough times will be

[dynjarren]

I don’t pretend that I know anything about Art. All I do know is what I like. One thing I like a lot about Basquat is his use of color. There are several pieces of his that are stunningly beautiful.

Again, I have no idea what the paintings are about or if there’s a message but I know what I like visually.
And I like Basquats work overall. He uses color well.

[MrNakitjamuusi]

Each to their own. I prefer art that speaks and can be experienced without having to explain it. This is something you find in an alley.

[Muonium]

pure trash hyped and elevated to so-called 'high art' by pseudointellectual poseurs and talentless impostors.

[jeanmichelbasquiat]

He did these Modena paintings very fast. The owner a pig merchant bought him a bunch of huge canvases and flew him to Italy and put him up in a studio just to paint them for him.
This is the reason this painting is not so great. He did a bunch of paintings for him within a week. The owner just wanted to cash in on Basquiat. Which is what this is.

[billykobilca]

The art speak from the guy was over the top description of pretentious.

[valmontgroup]

I love that, the philosophy of Basquiat, the message behind his work.

[peso]

At first I thought it was a Hunter Biden painting

[vintagepipesnightmares]

It is absolutely a joke ! It is hideously childish!