The Battle for Basquiat

In one of the most riveting auction battles in history, a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat brought $110.5 million - the record for an American artist. Watch as auctioneer Oliver Barker fields bids between two collectors determined to take home the monumental masterpiece, the star of Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Auction.
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[@nothisispatrick6951]

Spends 98 million dollars on the painting but probably wouldn't have gave basquiat a dollar when he was homeless

[@zk-5125]

he was selling postcards for 1$ in the streets if u didn't know

[@jejfcjsksksw1209]

@@zk-5125 and his postcards worth 40k dollars each in 2019

[@caligreen4208]

The guy who bought this has 4 billion $ , and now sent the painting around the world to many museums, so everyone can see it, he’s the perfect buyer for this fantastic art, it’s no longer in his possession, cuz he sent it to share the art!!! Not hoard it like billionaires do

[@FalloutTactics]

Art is worthless unless the artist is dead

[@Briscolone]

lovely humans

[@JonasPolsky]

"Was that a bid, sir?" (life flashes before eyes)

[@sebastains]

HA HA!!!

[@vinnyvidivici]

Meanwhile I'm like, "Should I really spend $5 for the pizza delivery fee?"

[@jenns.5791]

LNxTCB lol. right?

[@artpipe]

pickup ofc. )

[@maybewise]

EXACTLY XD But I'm studying accounting. So hopefully I'm able to at least be close to the action one day.

[@JimmyCee123]

Get the extra cheese, you deserve it

[@letaureau3622]

@Juan Perez Your worth a peso .

[@Havaseet2]

"Oh...wait....You were talking to ME? ...No no no..I was just being friendly. I don't have 98 million dollars."

[@theflyent7106]

Wish this man was alive to see how much his work is revered and respected... These masterpieces were made all in the 80z and they sell like crazy in today's modern world. Good job sir you did what you were supposed to do!!!

[@xl7131]

I love Basquiat's art, his life, and what part of the art world he represented as he came up and becomes a legendary symbol. He continues to impact and inform the continual young new art scenes across America today.

[@altorre5739]

I love cocaïne.

[@barnabywylde2224]

Trading cards for billionaires.

[@traderxart9551]

Barnaby Wylde that's all art is these days, it has absolutely nothing to do with the actual art work anymore. it's all about who can outbid the next guy and have a collection worth millions and millions of dollars. it's sad of what has become of the art world. it's just another way for the wealthy to see accumulative returns on their money. they can't leave it sitting so they buy up big works of art and flip them for a profit years later. that's all art is these days, a business....others will make you believe it isn't but that's what it is.

[@Kingro619]

+trader x art 9 Well actually, the buyer has bought other Basquiat paintings and said that when he saw this he was mesmerised by it, and how it stirred his excitement and love of art. So hopefully it's gone to a home that really loves it for the art and not just the price tag.

[@thomasrainbow]

Fuck it. Why not?

[@ericswain4177]

Great analogy.

[@tearorangi_____]

My like is for Jean. You did it, you knocked it out of the park.

[@supremereader7614]

69 million is really all my wife allows me to spend, honestly.

[@kisut7]

Lol

[@diamantshala9824]

So 69 a million times?

[@bocormen602]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3zRlmOcirh5d8U

[@louise-yo7kz]

How generous of her😚

[@chrisguevara]

Watching this video...I can't imagine being in that room and having him ask me "Was that a bid sir?"

[@michealkelly9441]

The coolest auctioneer for the coolest painter

[@trackrecord1592]

Wow I just heard of this artist a couple of months ago while watching Pawnstars he lived a very short and troubled life but his art work is amazing and worth so much did they say $ 98 million dollars that is unbelievable I never seen or heard of any piece of art selling for that much ...

[@davereffell7189]

“Art is in the eye of the beholder, and everyone will have their own interpretation.”

[@profemeritus534]

The conservative interpration is that art is created by people who thoroughly studied aesthetics, anatomy, colors, the lighting and shadows and various subjects to use this knowledge in creating their works. Sadly the likes of Basquiat never had the opportunity to master - let alone learn about - these things and it clearly shows in his paintings. They are interesting blots of paint on the canvas, but certainly not art.

[@jackson77722]

@@profemeritus534 Very much agree, comes from the 'Art Racket school'!!! of the 80s where 'art in general took a nosedive,where people became great because they told you they were,,,,,,,SAD !!!

[@kaguth]

This is far from my favorite Basquiat piece but probably the best available. It doesn't surprise me the buyer is Japanese. Hip Hop culture is huge over there and Basquiat was a unique part of it.

[@LaWendeltreppe]

I love the music here and this auctioneer is like a dancer. It all has got sth like an artful performance. Great to watch.

[@musingtimes]

Allow me to introduce Mr. Oliver Barker, a showman in the guise of an auctioneer.

[@user-bj2lu9qt3o]

This is so weird after hearing him talk about how bitter he felt when it comes to rich people.

[@CristianVancaillie]

Yes...!!! In my W. C. 🐞

[@galaxyceiling4137]

Exciting. Nice round of applause from the crowd at the end as well.

[@robcarney3365]

You should put up a longer version of this video. It's edited too short and takes away from the drama.

[@patriciamcdermott9589]

i agree. lucky buyer, i love jean michel's work, having a painting of his would be electric. i'm sure he's smiling, looking down and he is at peace. if you guys haven't seen the documentary "radiant child" you should. you'll understand then.

[@viksra]

+patricia mcdermott this is the buyer instagram.com/p/BUQQMOFDStN/

[@gregb0t]

viksra And now he will be the 1st private to go to the moon bringing artists with him: instagram.com/p/Bn_siM7h0Yt/

[@thomasrainbow]

@@patriciamcdermott9589 1000% agree with everything you said

[@HTNPSullivan]

Your comment is from 3 years ago. I watched a Sotheby's auction earlier this week (2021) and I was amazed that a Basquiat (a very good one) sold for $44 million, nevermind $98 million... on top of which, by the way, these folks pay Sotheby's "premium" and "overhead" charges, which seems to tack on another million or so, PLUS they pay taxes, which has to be something between 6 and 12 percent of the sale price... So tack on another $5.8 million or more. That's mind boggling.

[@Kingro619]

People saying this is simply about showing off your money and is disrespectful to Basquiat and the art world really have no clue. The buyer has bought other Basquiat paintings and said that when he saw this he was mesmerised by it, and how it stirred his excitement and love of art. He's also put this and and the other untitled Basquiat he bought into a museum in his hometown for everyone to enjoy. Very happy for the buyer. People need to stop jumping to conclusions..

[@rickjames9546]

Stfu it’s a show off

[@erique_k]

Yes! I love MZ.

[@PSYCHOLOGYZOOM]

Meanwhile at Kroger I have to put some stuff back because my "card was declined". Life is totally fair, to be sure.

[@robertschlesinger1342]

Amazing, and it would sell for more in today's art market.

[@salvajexy7718]

Estos precios son Arteeeeee!!

[@schwanzuslongus394]

I sold a picture in my school for 3 Euros

[@tripleaaa4409]

Schwanzus Longus well done sir.

[@3markaw]

You should of had Sotheby's auction it.....but only after you die !

[@matheuspeixoto8689]

stonks

[@user-rn5lw3wj8b]

Art is worth whatever somebody willing to pay for it.

[@PSYCHOLOGYZOOM]

Why do Mcdonald's employees always act like their job is on the line when I ask for extra sauce??

[@grimreaper9383]

Saw the artists that knew this man and this is both amazing and shocking.

[@cyrusgraham292]

Hanging out at a cool coffee shop in San Juan Capistrano, California December 1999

[@nybornFunk]

That was the Japan collector...Yusaku Maezawa...Bingo!

[@kanervatie]

That is a lovely painting. Can't understand it, because art like this is what I'd like to call, puking to old Masters. But still, would look nice in my livingroom.

[@NotKimiRaikkonen]

Without a name attached to it, that's a $1,000 painting at most...

[@gianlozano102]

Bwoah you’re right

[@amandateoh1164]

Yusaku Maezawa was the bidder on the other end of Yuki’s phone... which I just realised he is also Elon Musk’s Japanese space guy..

[@HTNPSullivan]

Bear in mind, the buyer also pays taxes, so that's something like another $5.8 million. And the buyer pays Sotheby's "premium" and "overhead" fees, which looks to be another millin or so (the total paid to Sotheby's was $110.5 million), so really this cost the buyer about $116 million-plus.

[@dynjarren8355]

I like his use of color. I have no idea what the art is saying otherwise but I like the Aesthetic look of many of his paintings.

[@ktiitfa2491]

" Aesthetic look " omg

[@saidyaosorio6089]

Hi! Can anybody help me with this? What does he say at 0:15? Many thanks in advance.

[@Leafy_901]

meanwhile im extremely grateful to have auctioned a piece of my art for $150 on instagram lol. every artist hopes I think to live to see their works be valued to some extent while they are alive. Unfortunately this isn't always the case.

[@franksmith7246]

They make more money when your dead

[@richspizzaparty]

Meanwhile I’m waiting for the day I can afford the guacamole at Chipotle.

[@jasencordiero5366]

THE AUCTIONEER IS FLOATING

[@ronaldolamont]

Unbelievable! Even as an artist myself, I'm in shock that someone would spend that much on art!! lol For that kind of money you can change the state of a poor country!! Unreal!

[@patriciagregory8340]

I know that this is an old comment, but art by well known artists appreciates verryyyy well. It is incredible

[@jacobohernandez6343]

Hola cordiales saludos . excelente grandes genios de la pintura universal el Red boy Lawrence original de colección colombiana y procedencia Europea . disponible

[@aJ-od9vv]

How does it work ? What is the commission of that lady on the phone (who managed to get that 98 mil winning bid ) ? And what is Sotheby's commission ?

[@davidfreeman7455]

I bet all these artists would turn over in their grave if they found out how much their work is being sold for not just Basquiat but Van Gogh, Friday Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Warhol, Picasso...etc

[@TheNeeyang]

I saw this painting in Seattle

[@ScottMartinD]

Sold for $98M, but $110.5M with tax?

[@DCTag]

Scott Martin auction fees you peasant.

[@KeepHimAtBay]

@@DCTag hahahah

[@spencerbean7555]

i rilly dont get how people dont appreciate art

[@Rdeschain19]

weird comment on a video where some dude puts down 110.5 mil for 'art'

[@JohnDoe-sx2zk]

my favorite basquait

[@fastfoodart5552]

WoW...cool n nice...

[@gerardomenendez8912]

Oh yeah, how riveting

[@QuinnJACKSON-zx1dx]

After realizing that my little $500 bid wouldn't have cut it. I would've sat on my hands during the reminder of the auction out of fear from making a mistake.

[@zuriboo7974]

just watch a doc on him n his life and art he was amazing...a tru artist n every sense of the word R.I.P #StarvingArtistGoals

[@j4smite]

where does this money go? Does the gallery keep it?

[@carltabor6612]

Jasmit Saini the money goes to the previous owner.

[@JOSEPHCHARLESCOLIN2024]

BATTLE for me soon.

[@2024SLCLUBBERS]

Agreed because its me.

[@sanadbenali6993]

looking for harold finch in the crowed

[@zachgoll]

Me: watches ConstitutionDAO auction once KZbin: we are going to recommend auction videos for the rest of time and you’re going to click on them because the algorithm is always right.

[@dippitysedgewick1750]

This shit blows my mind.

[@arsenasatryan6250]

What is his name ? I mean who is on the pulpit

[@jamijohnson1411]

Mr. Barker is the BEST!!

[@peterwalker2377]

So was it 98 or 110?

[@keisha5542]

👏🏾

[@CYCLONE4499]

The irony is Basquiat would've been sickened by this. He made his art for the people. Not a bunch of rich stiffs who just collect it for superficial reasons.

[@99thehighstreet69]

My old mate at Yarmouth casino had basquiet try several times to sell hand painted teashirts to him he always politely declined it was outside limelight night club in New York where the stars used to go he was a barman he is still a barman because he didn't buy basquiet .

[@thelasthourgetready]

Wow. You never know who you are turning down

[@QuinnJACKSON-zx1dx]

Moral of the story, be nice artists. You never want to be the one telling a disturbing story like that one.

[@HTNPSullivan]

I cannot be the only one who's ever noticed that the auctioneer's last name is "barker" as in the guy who pitches acts at a sideshow. In a way, he grew into his name. It's funny how that happens. I had a friend whose chiropractor's last name was (I kid you not) Dr. Backmender.

[@charles95880]

The guy who bought it was a guy worth around $4 Billion from Japan. He owns a Direct to Consumer custom clothing website. Thats a lot of money to spend on a painting for anyone. Huge price tag. There are tons of awesome famous pieces for $10 million or less. If you were worth only $4 Billion, would you spend that much? I guess the price of these are most likely going up so another way of looking at is: own a Basquiat - enjoy it - then resell it for an additional $10 million in profit 5 year from now. Jean-Michel Basquait only painted around 900 or so paintings in the short time he was alive.

[@sinthushan]

Can someone explain the price discrepancy. The bidder says it sold for 98 million but then it says 110 million. I get if the price is lower cause some auction do next highest bid but why would the price be higher?

[@andrewherbert8125]

It's the postage and handling

[@sinthushan]

LOL

[@IBOLOUNGE]

The house charges a fee , call a premium. Buyer pays the fee as well.

[@ryancnayr]

sinthushushan sooriyakumar it's delivery costs 😂 remember to this guy 12 million is cheap for delivery

[@emilychen0311]

Auction houses charge a buyer's premium to every work, the final price result always includes this premium.

[@ashhempsall9803]

Interesting how the applause is for the number. Nevertheless, fine artist M.Basquiat 🙏🥂✨

[@angelajsacaartistaffiliatedwpl]

Omg 😮

[@brandinginpajamas]

Long live the 👑

[@deengew]

Disrespecting Basquiat because of the shitty state of the art world. Leave him out of it, dude just made cool art. What do you do?

[@j4smite]

Nick what is the painting about?

[@Kingro619]

Well actually, the buyer has bought other Basquiat paintings and said that when he saw this he was mesmerised by it, and how it stirred his excitement and love of art. So hopefully it's gone to a home that really loves it for the art and not just the price tag.

[@j4smite]

but what does the painting mean?

[@AlCapownage69]

Does miles davis say what every note means

[@j4smite]

Henry Kerns no he doesnt.. but what is the painting about ??

[@ashddd]

I would be interested to know what Basquiat would have thought of these multimillionaires throwing money at his art

[@QuinnJACKSON-zx1dx]

He would've ran on stage to piss on it to see if people would still buy it.

[@Eduard000F]

I better start painting some abstract things...

[@Krillin1993]

Guess who of the richest businessmen of the biddings gave the society back what it needs against this: Hunger, Depression, Suicidal Thaughts, Sadness etc. I bid just 1 Dollar they dont care at all.....but hey its art right? (This isn´t just a criticsm of the painting of Basquiat,..it could be any paintings of the world which goes that high of money, its hillarious)....I am new subscriber just to know what the problems of the rich society is, Thank You. P.S.: Yusaku Maezawa I love Japan and I wish you giving the same amount of money for suicide prevention and for homeless people around Chiba and Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto. You couldn`t even imagine what you can do for poor and depressive people. I am not a hater, I am just saying this doesn´t give you satisfaction in life on the otherside I have to say you did a really good job and also a good decision when you are saying after 6 hours of work it is fine to end the work. Congrats for the decision of work mentality.

[@matt92550]

This should be in a museum not in the hands of a billionaire.

[@neliborba9030]

Such money could be better spent, but they buy art as an investment. There are so many talented in this world but not that lucky to sell their art for so much money.

[@lucianobarrantes]

This guy would make a great toddler / joker

[@hakeemt929]

While 98 million is redicolous, Basquiat was a genius, at par with even Picasso IMHO. You need to see his different paintings, the color combinations, writings on the paintings etc. Every painting is unique. Way more fascinating than artists like pollock and Rothko. The work by these artists is bull..

[@mohitjain009]

Why does the thumbnail say $110M when it’s actually being sold for $98M?

[@newfamoustv2963]

What's the Name of the Art?

[@jejfcjsksksw1209]

Untitled, the painter didn't give the name

[@BrianJWood-dl3dv]

crap.

[@mercatorprmerc3040]

Knowing how Basquiat use to think he would have taken a shit on the painting and let the public know about it and would have fetch another 10 million and laughed at the fool who paid for it .

[@pefren777]

i am just hanging around

[@WizEL]

the price is more excitin than tha painting

[@eltonlovell9898]

Looks like what I do to portraits of people I've fallen out with..

[@jacekpokrak9258]

what about compmaturism?

[@user-nz4yd3iu4t]

좋아요

[@kyuzuuzari5441]

0:08 if you pay attention he is like rapping Hhahahha

[@chrisramirez9696]

how about tree fitty

[@TreadwayArts]

Chris Ramirez you are not for real

[@Vip3rC4in0022]

How about six hunnit fiddy

[@nieverainmaker384]

The electric theys

[@rebeccagarner8289]

i have 20$ for it

[@williamschlenger1518]

Sharon Stone $10.change due

[@driven39]

Bye Felicia!

[@FatGouf]

Sharon Stone sounds about right

[@brianlenehan9055]

I'll bump that to $22.50.

[@kavishkashaminda5789]

there are no any space for fiving artists who trying to live.but tthey sell paintings who not living what kind of world is this

[@themotobanditshow]

People buy art to avoid tax. Simple

[@BullToTheShit]

$110 million is not the highest ever payed for an American artist's work. In 1965 a Rothko sold for 22.2 million. In 2017 dollars that is over 170 million. There are other examples too.

[@davidchilds1443]

Wonder what poor Jean Michel would be thinking up there? Didn’t have a pot to piss in when he was alive! Great artist

[@meerz7890]

Didn't Basquiat sell this for like 10K? :(

[@rhonnachurch6929]

The disapointing thing to me is i wonder how much the artist was paid that painting?

[@chicagoko]

Did it sell for 110? Or did it sell for 98???

[@purestrangewonderful8955]

They tax Art.

[@nageshdhole1256]

I'm just calculating his commission

[@burakhanakbas1984]

W.reynolds ?

[@Nero-ox5tw]

This is insane, his average selling price at the pinacle of his career was 30 grand now he is dead his work is going for tens of millions

[@carltabor6612]

Ryan Bamford from your statement you know very little about the art game. over the last 200 years its always been that way. during the life of the artist his work sold for a sum that was fair for his needs. j.m.b.really did not care about money and never had a bank account. so 30 k per painting was a fair number in 84. as fab 5 Freddy said it was like printing money .the buyers were walking out with the paintings still dripping wet. years later they go for large numbers.

[@STANKYCHEEZEMAYNE]

it's called inflation read about it

[@Randomore]

That is the most expensive leaning on earth .everytime he leans, he get another million ...what a great marketing

[@takeonparis]

Aren't we like... TWELVE MILLION DOLLARS short of 110 million??

[@PATRIOT1690]

I’d have a $10m home, $100m earning interest and no Basquiat in site. Much better option.