The crown is one of the most recurrent symbols in Jean-Michel Basquiat's work, and has a multifaceted meaning that is deeply connected to his explorations of power, royalty, identity and social struggle. In many of his paintings, the crown appears as an emblem of authority, prestige and distinction, but also of irony and resistance. Basquiat, who often used his art to comment on racial oppression and marginalization, employed the crown to subvert traditional power structures, especially those related to social and racial hierarchy.
One of the ways in which the crown is presented is as a symbol of the elevation of the black figure, claiming his place in history and culture. By using the crown in portraits of African American figures, Basquiat gives them a dignity and position of power that has not always been recognized in society. In this sense, the crown can be interpreted as a symbol of royalty that defies established norms and vindicates the autonomy and value of black identity.
On the other hand, the crown may also relate to Basquiat's complex relationship with fame, success and the artist's internal struggle to find his place in the art world. Often, the crown is shown in a simple and rudimentary manner, like a doodle, reflecting Basquiat's raw and spontaneous approach to art, but also his attitude of not submitting to the conventional expectations of the art market or critics. In short, the crown in Basquiat's work is a symbol charged with meanings that address both the celebration of black identity and the critique of dominant power structures, all within a visual language charged with irony and defiance.
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© Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
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