“I was a really lousy artist as a kid. Too Abstract Expressionist…really messy. I’d never win painting contests. I remember losing to a guy who did a perfect Spider-Man.”
—Jean-Michel BasquiatA striking example from Jean-Michel Basquiat’s celebrated oeuvre, Riddle Me This Batman is a screenprint reproduction of his 1987 canvas of the same title, which depicts longtime comic book characters Batman, the Joker and the Riddler. The painting was executed only a year before the artist’s untimely death in 1988 at the age of 27, and the present lot embodies the chaotic nature of Basquiat’s later years. An energetic mix of confusion and composition, Riddle Me This Batman situates the Joker and the Riddler at the centre of the canvas. The Joker flaunts his iconic and unsettling toothy grin, while the Riddler is portrayed clutching a bottle of alcohol, perhaps alluding to Basquiat’s worsening addiction. Both supervillains are surrounded by delirious evil laughter, suggesting their twisted sense of humour. The title draws on the antagonising taunt that the Riddler regularly poses to Batman: “Riddle me this Batman…” Scattered with ambiguous words and symbols, one cannot help but wonder about the autobiographical nature of Riddle Me This Batman.
Riddle Me This Batman is part of the Superhero Portfolio – an edition comprising four screenprints of Basquiat’s original canvases featuring the artist’s personal heroes and idols. Taking inspiration from popular comic characters and symbols, Basquiat depicts figures including Batman, Robin, and Flash alongside his iconic gestural marks and text. The series evokes a childlike spontaneity, while simultaneously showcasing a distinct awareness and command over composition. Combining bold colours and expressive mark-making, this portfolio exemplifies the unique style for which Basquiat is famed, while also symbolising the artist’s status as one of the most significant artists of his generation.
