Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Nicholas Taylor
Basquiat photograph by Nicholas Taylor of Gray (Jean-Michel Basquiat 1979)

1979

About the Item

Rare 1979 Photograph of Jean Michel Basquiat: This rare Basquiat photograph was taken from Nicholas Taylor’s well-documented portfolio exploring his friendship with Jean-Michel Basquiat - a friendship which began when both collaborated on the historic New York No Wave band, “GRAY” in the late 1970s; before the two briefly lived together in the East Village. Selections from Taylor's portfolio were most notably exhibited as part of the Basquiat retrospective at London's Barbican in 2017 and have been featured in numerous noteworthy publications on Basquiat. Silver Gelatin Print. 1979. 11 x 14 inches Hand singed and numbered in the margins from an edition of 5 A/P's. Good to very good overall vintage condition, with the exception of some minor surface waving commensurate with medium. Provenance: Obtained directly from artist Lot 180 is an authorized dealer rep of Nicholas Taylor Whilst Basquiat often provided glimpses into his conflicted character through his own art, Taylor’s photograph offers an intimate, and perhaps more honest, portrait from the outside. The clever exploration of light and dark reveals the dichotomies that divided the artist; both his fragile and playful, tender and brazen sides are unveiled. A soft glow is cast across Basquiat’s face, communicating a tenderness and affection that only a close friend could capture. About Nicholas Taylor Nicholas Taylor (American, b. 1953) is a renowned photographer and musician. Taylor moved to New York in 1977 to pursue a career as a photographer and it was through the vibrant New York art scene that he came to know the young artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. It was, in fact, his intimate portfolio of photographs documenting his friendship with Basquiat that rocketed Taylor to fame. The two would collaborate in the seminal No Wave band “Gray” and live together in the East Village, before Taylor launched a successful career as a DJ famous for track-looping. His track “Suicide Mode” would later be used in the soundtrack for Julian Schnabel’s 1996 film “Basquiat." Taylor has been directly referenced in at least two works by Basquiat and is responsible for first introducing the artist to Madonna before the two dated. Taylor's photographs of Basquiat were recently exhibited at London's Barbican and Frankfurt's Schirn Kunsthalle as part of the landmark Basquiat: Boom for Real exhibition; with Gray (Michael Holman & Nick Taylor) recently performing at New York's MoMa in conjunction with the current Club 57 exhibition. Related Categories Samo. Basquiat Gray. Downtown 81. Boom for Real. Rare photographs of Basquiat. Mudd Club.
  • Creator:
    Nicholas Taylor (American)
  • Creation Year:
    1979
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11 in (27.94 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Some minor surface wear.
  • Gallery Location:
    NEW YORK, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU35439952652

More From This Seller

View All
Basquiat photograph by Nick Taylor of Gray (Basquiat 1979)
By Nicholas Taylor
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Rare 1979 Photograph of Jean Michel Basquiat This rare Basquiat photograph was taken from Nicholas Taylor’s well-documented portfolio exploring his friendship with Jean-Michel Basquiat - a friendship which began when both collaborated on the historic New York No Wave band, “GRAY” in the late 1970s; before the two briefly lived together in the East Village. Selections from Taylor's portfolio were most notably exhibited as part of the Basquiat retrospective at London's Barbican in 2017 and have been featured in numerous noteworthy publications on Basquiat. Silver Gelatin Print. 1979. 11 x 14 inches Hand singed and numbered in the margins from an edition of 5 A/P's. Good overall vintage condition, with the exception of some minor signs of handling; surface marks to lower right; minor surface waves commensurate with medium. Provenance: Obtained directly from artist Lot 180 is an authorized dealer rep of Nicholas Taylor Whilst Basquiat often provided glimpses into his conflicted character through his own art, Taylor’s photograph offers an intimate, and perhaps more honest, portrait from the outside. The clever exploration of light and dark reveals the dichotomies that divided the artist; both his fragile and playful, tender and brazen sides are unveiled. A soft glow is cast across Basquiat’s face, communicating a tenderness and affection that only a close friend could capture. About Nicholas Taylor Nicholas Taylor (American, b. 1953) is a renowned photographer and musician. Taylor moved to New York in 1977 to pursue a career as a photographer and it was through the vibrant New York art scene that he came to know the young artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. It was, in fact, his intimate portfolio of photographs documenting his friendship with Basquiat that rocketed Taylor to fame. The two would collaborate in the seminal No Wave band “Gray” and live together in the East Village, before Taylor launched a successful career as a DJ famous for track-looping. His track “Suicide Mode” would later be used in the soundtrack for Julian Schnabel’s 1996 film “Basquiat." Taylor has been directly referenced in at least two works by Basquiat and is responsible for first introducing the artist to Madonna before the two dated. Taylor's photographs of Basquiat were recently exhibited at London's Barbican and Frankfurt's Schirn Kunsthalle as part of the landmark Basquiat: Boom for Real exhibition; with Gray (Michael Holman & Nick Taylor...
Category

1980s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Mali Africa Photograph (African Village)
By Fernando Natalici
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Fernando Natalici: "Mali Dust" location: Gao, Mali, Africa - 2003 Resin Coated photo paper. Hand Toned Sepia; shot with TRIX film 11x14 inches Some minor surface dimples; otherwise ...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

"Baby Chairs" Brazil Photograph
By Fernando Natalici
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Fernando Natalici, "Baby Chairs," Brazil 1978 Shot during a trip to the countryside of São Paulo Brazil, this pair of rustic wood children's chairs belonged...
Category

1970s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Anya Phillips on the set of 'The Foreigner, ' New York City
By Fernando Natalici
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Fernando Natalici, Anya Phillips New York City, 1977 A rare vintage original photograph of Mudd Club co-founder and seminal Downtown art scene legend, An...
Category

1970s Contemporary Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Vintage New York photograph 1984 (1980s New York street photography)
By Fernando Natalici
Located in NEW YORK, NY
New York Walk by Fernando Natalici: Downtown Manhattan 1984. A metal arrow points to an unknown store on the left of this New York City street. A view of the iconic Manhattan architecture stands out just behind the silhouette. A glimpse into, not only the New York of 'then', but the infamous buildings that remains in the city today...
Category

1980s Contemporary Color Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Chelsea 101 (vintage Chelsea Manhattan photograph)
By Fernando Natalici
Located in NEW YORK, NY
'CHELSEA 101' by noted New York downtown art scene photographer, Fernando Natalici Vintage original sepia toned photo taken in Manhattan's historic Chelsea area in 1979. Artist statement: "As I was riding by 101 West 25th Street, north-side of block, closer to 6th Ave., workers were removing a newer sign that was mounted on top of CHELSEA 101, unaware what was under… They didn’t show much surprise and proceeded to mount the new sign… Seeing that, from my bike, I stopped and got the shot before they covered it up with another sign… CHELSEA 101 remained there until the building was renovated; today, a window into a bygone era of family owned sewing machine shops..." Silver gelatin print, 1979 8.5 x 11 inches (full frame printed to the edges) Hand signed from an edition of 2 A/P's on the reverse Obtained directly from artist. Seller is a primary dealer rep of Natalici. Well-preserved; very good to excellent condition New York based photographer Fernando Natalici is best known for his iconographic documentation of the downtown Manhattan art scene of the mid/late 70's and early 80's. Natalici’s portfolio includes sought after images of a young Patti Smith, Blondie, Talking Heads, Keith Haring, The Ramones and more. As an Art Director, Fernando has played a key role in creating memorable visuals for historic NY venues such as CBGB's, The Mudd Club, Area and Danceteria. Related Categories William Klein. Henri Cartier Bresson. Saul Leiter. NYC street signs...
Category

1970s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

You May Also Like

Burt Lancaster on the Set of "The Swimmer"
By Linda McCartney
Located in New York, NY
Linda McCartney, Burt Lancaster on the Set of “The Swimmer” 1968/1984 Signed and dated, l.r. Gelatin silver print 13.5 x 9 inches, image Contact gallery for price.
Category

1960s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Black and White
By Dave Anderson
Located in New York, NY
Toned gelatin silver print (Edition of 25) Signed, titled, dated, and numbered, verso This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Dave Anderson is an award-winning, cross-media storyteller best known for his work behind the lens. His photography and films have been exhibited, published, screened, and lauded across the planet. Anderson’s work has been profiled on numerous media outlets ranging from “Good Morning America” to "The New York Times" to "The New Yorker," where Vince Aletti...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Portrait - Gregory, Contemporary Black and White Male Nude Portrait Photography
Located in New York, NY
Portrait - Gregory, Contemporary Black and White Male Nude Portrait Photography by Victor Carnuccio. Portrait – Gregory 1991 Signed, titled, dat...
Category

1990s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Untitled, Contemporary Queer Male Physique Figure Nude Photography
Located in New York, NY
Untitled, Contemporary Queer Male Physique Figure Nude Photography by Victor Carnuccio. Untitled 1991 Signed, dated, and numbered, verso Gelatin silver print (Edition of 10) 14 x...
Category

1990s Contemporary Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Hive, Santa Fe, NM, 2005
By Robert Stivers
Located in Hudson, NY
This listing is for the unframed photograph. The Robin Rice Gallery proudly announces SUMMERTIME Salon 2019, an annual photography exhibit featuring gallery artists as well as a fe...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Calle Bissa, French Black and White Photography of Venice
By Willy Ronis
Located in New york, NY
Interested in “ordinary people" French photographer Willy Ronis was a postwar (WWII) photographer who roamed the streets whether In France or Italy, photographing people in love, at ...
Category

1940s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin

Recently Viewed

View All