Mecca (Basquiat)
1982 painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mecca is a painting created by American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1982. In November 2013, it sold for $4.5 million at Sotheby's.[1]
ArtistJean-Michel Basquiat
Year1982
MediumAcrylic paint and oilstick on canvas mounted on wood supports
| Mecca | |
|---|---|
| Artist | Jean-Michel Basquiat |
| Year | 1982 |
| Medium | Acrylic paint and oilstick on canvas mounted on wood supports |
| Movement | Neo-expressionism |
| Dimensions | 177.8 cm × 172.4 cm (70 in × 68 7/8 in) |
| Owner | Jay-Z |
History
Mecca was executed by Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1982, Basquiat's most valuable year.[2] The painting depicts the Empire State Building with an orange and black and white color with Basquiat's trademark crown, with a banner displaying the word "EMPIRE."[3][4] The painting was acquired at 1982 by the Gagosian Gallery in Los Angeles.[3]
In June 1998, it was exhibited and shown in at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery in New York.[3]
In November 2013, rapper Jay-Z purchased it for $4.5 million at Sotheby's as an anonymous buyer.[1][5][6]
