Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Fascination with Anatomy

Serving to articulate Basquiat’s concerns surrounding contemporary issues of racism, violence and mortality, his anatomical drawings became a medium of protest surrounding the racial injustices prevalent in 1980s New York. Deeply affected by the brutal murder of black graffiti artist Michael Stewart in 1983, Basquiat’s utilisation of the human form became a way to represent the trivialisation of violence against African Americans, seen explicitly in works such as Back Of The Neck (1983).

Childhood Interests in Medicine and Anatomy

Basquiat’s fascination with anatomy began after he was involved in a car accident at eight years old. During his hospital visit, his mother gifted him with a copy of the canonical medical encyclopaedia Gray's Anatomy (1878). His exposure to Gray’s medical illustrations and anatomical charts facilitated a lifelong curiosity about the human body’s inner workings, and the book’s imagery would later feature prominently in the plethora of anatomical depictions in his artwork. These depictions range from intricate replicas of human bones, as seen in Leg Of A Dog (1983), to more abstract, playful reproductions, such as his Dog Leg Study (1983).

Exploring Life and Death

Although founded on a deep fascination with the human body, Basquiat’s anatomical studies are not merely scientific. Profoundly symbolic, his portrayals of bones, muscles and organs transcend their biological functions, becoming metaphors for broader existential themes of mortality, decay and vulnerability.

Critique of Society and Identity

Basquiat’s manipulations of the human form serve as vehicles of social commentary, reappropriating the damage inflicted on the vulnerable and critiquing the societal structures that shape identity and impose limitations on individuality. His fragmented and layered depictions, seen in Untitled Skull (1983), become metaphors for the fragmentation of personal and collective identities by race and class inequality.

Layering and Fragmentation

Basquiat’s artistic techniques and style evolved throughout his career, reflecting the influence of his contemporaries, his constant innovation and his boundless creativity. He often employed layering and fragmentation in his works, creating complex compositions to mimic the intricacies of the human body. Utilising complex layers and contrasting colours not only added a depth and distinctiveness to his work, it also symbolised the multifaceted nature of his subjects and the layers of commentary behind them.

Use of Text and Symbols

Text and symbols are integral to Basquiat’s art and are seen throughout his portfolio, his recurring iconography establishing a visual lexicon referencing a diverse range of influences and ideas. A voracious consumer of history, art and pop culture, Basquiat’s proliferation of text and symbols in his artwork invites his viewers to engage with his works on multiple levels, juxtaposing his anatomical designs with his cultural and sociopolitical narrative offering complex articulations.

Basquiat's Anatomy Series

Though typical in subject matter, Basquiat’s Anatomy series provide a surprising simplicity and calm to his typically emotive and violently-coloured artworks. The detailed, singular drawings of close anatomical references of the skull, elbow and female pelvis provide an insight into the artist’s genuine interest into the human anatomy, and establish his other works as intentionally abstract interpretations.

Academic Study Of The Male Figure

Another notable Basquiat piece featuring anatomy is his 1983 Academic Study Of The Male Figure. This work features a male figure rendered in a style that blends anatomical accuracy with Basquiat's characteristically raw and expressive approach. Like many of Basquiat’s works, this piece explores themes of identity, the detailed anatomical portrayal can be seen as a metaphor for introspection and self-examination, reflecting Basquiat’s ongoing exploration of his experiences as a black artist in an aggressively white domain.

Back Of The Neck

Another compelling example of his engagement with anatomical themes is Basquiat’s Back Of The Neck (1983). At the centre of the composition, an imperfect, golden crown hovers over a deconstructed torso flanked on the left by the hand-written words ‘back of the neck’. These disparate anatomical parts construct a broken but complete image, boasting a violent, erratic energy narrating the politics of violence against the black body.

Basquiat's fascination with anatomy is a testament to his ability to transform personal obsessions into profound artistic expressions. His intricate depictions of the human form, deeply influenced by his early exposure to Gray's Anatomy, serve not only as a reflection of his curiosity, but also as a powerful medium for addressing the complex issues of racism, violence, and mortality that pervaded his world. Through his raw and expressive style, Basquiat redefined anatomical art, merging scientific precision with emotive storytelling. His works continue to inspire and challenge contemporary artists, cementing his legacy as a pioneering force in the exploration of human identity and societal critique through art.