In This Case - Jean-Michel Basquiat

A powerful 1983 Neo-Expressionist work by Jean-Michel Basquiat, featuring a skull-like figure rendered in bold red, black, and white tones.

In This Case (1983) is a large-scale work by Jean-Michel Basquiat, representative of his mature period in New York City. The composition centres on a singular, skull-like head rendered in a raw, gestural manner. Basquiat employs a palette dominated by deep red, black, and white, creating a stark visual tension. The figure features an oversized, singular eye and a bared set of teeth, motifs that appear frequently throughout his body of work to suggest themes of mortality and human anatomy.

Basquiat integrates various graphic elements, including geometric shapes, schematic diagrams, and linear markings that resemble graffiti or anatomical sketches. The application of paint is varied, ranging from thick, opaque blocks of colour to thin, dripping washes that suggest a sense of urgency. The background is largely subsumed by the red field, which pushes the central figure forward, forcing an immediate confrontation with the viewer.

This piece reflects the artist's interest in the intersection of high art and street culture. By combining classical portraiture conventions with the visual language of urban environments, Basquiat creates a work that feels both ancient and contemporary. The inclusion of cryptic symbols and lines across the canvas surface adds a layer of visual noise, typical of his method of layering information to mirror the chaotic nature of modern life. The work remains a primary example of his ability to synthesise disparate cultural references into a cohesive, albeit aggressive, visual statement.