The Most In-Demand Jean-Michel Basquiat Prints from Investors
At the top of Basquiat’s print market sit two works that define pricing authority: Back of the Neck and Untitled (black). Both date to 1983 and were produced in exceptionally small editions – 24 and 10, respectively. These are the highest-valued prints in Basquiat’s market and are now largely absent from public auction, with most transactions occurring privately.
Beyond these two works, a small number of other signed prints surface sporadically at auction. When they do, pricing is often influenced by factors including condition, celebrity provenance or early exhibition history. However, supply is extremely limited, and these appearances tend to be episodic rather than cyclical, reinforcing the scarcity-led nature of the signed segment.
For investors operating below the ultra-rare tier, the Anatomy prints have become an increasingly important focus. While historically more affordable than posthumous prints, these works have seen measurable appreciation as collectors reassess their rarity and early production date.
Taken together, investor demand in Basquiat’s print market is stratified rather than broad. Top-tier value is locked into a handful of works best accessed privately, while liquidity and growth potential below that level are concentrated in early signed editions that remain comparatively accessible but increasingly competitive.