The artwork titled “Self-Portrait as a Heel, Part Two” is a creative expression by artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, crafted in 1982. This visually striking self-portrait is rendered in acrylic and oil paintstick on canvas, a medium that lends itself to Basquiat’s energetic and intense application of materials. The piece falls within the Neo-Expressionism art movement and measures approximately 243.8 cm by 185 cm. As a self-portrait, it offers a personal insight into the artist’s self-image and identity.
The artwork presents a central figure, presumably the artist’s representation of himself, against a vibrant green background. The figure possesses an intense gaze directed towards the viewer, with facial features delineated by bold, black lines. The stark contrasting colors, predominantly black on green, create an arresting visual tension. Scrawled words and symbols, a characteristic element of Basquiat’s style, are incorporated into the composition, including the phrases “BACK VIEW” and “COMPOSITE” across the figure’s body. These textual elements blend into the portrait, suggesting layers of meaning and inviting contemplation on identity and perception. The overall execution of the self-portrait is raw and emotive, embodying the spontaneous and impassioned energy associated with Basquiat and Neo-Expressionism.
