Keith Haring began experimenting with his bold, graphic lines and cartoon-inspired figures on the walls of New York City subway stations in the early 1980s. He called them his “laboratory,” places to develop a radical new aesthetic based on an ideology of creating truly democratic public art.
Haring’s paintings, prints and murals address the universal themes of death, love and sex, as well as contemporary issues he experienced personally, like the crack-cocaine and AIDS epidemics. They derive much of their impact from the powerful contrast between these serious subjects and the joyful, vibrant pictographic language he uses to express them, full of dancing figures, babies, barking dogs, hearts and rhythmic lines, as well as references to pop culture.
To make his art even more accessible, in 1986, Haring opened the Pop Shop in Soho. In a foreshadowing of today’s intermingling of art and fashion, the shop sold merchandise and novelty items featuring imagery by Haring and contemporaries like Kenny Scharf and Jean-Michel Basquiat. While his works sometimes included text, for the most part, he chose to communicate through drawing.
“Drawing is still basically the same as it has been since prehistoric times,” Haring once declared. “It lives through magic.”
Find Keith Haring art on 1stDibs today.
Keith Haring ( American, 1958 - 1990 ) Pop Art Limited Edition Lithograph
By Keith Haring
Located in New York, NY
Medium: Limited Edition Etching on Paper Style: Pop Art Painting Size: 15 x 11 inches Condition: This artwork is in great condition for its age. Please note: the number edition may...
Paper, Etching
Bust of a young woman in profile
By Paul César Helleu
Located in Naples, Florida
Bust of a young woman in profile Paul-César Helleu (1859-1927) JEUNE FEMME EN BUSTE, DE PROFIL À DROITE Color drypoint, circa 1900, on wove paper, signed and annotated 29 in pencil,...
Paper, Drypoint, Etching
Leaning on a Pedestal
By Paul César Helleu
Located in Naples, Florida
Leaning on a Pedestal Paul-César Helleu (1859-1927) JEUNE FEMME EN BUSTE, DE PROFIL À DROITE Black drypoint, circa 1900, on wove paper, signed and annotated 29 in pencil, with full ...
Paper, Drypoint, Etching
$3,487
H 25.6 in W 19.69 in
The first seagull -Timothy Archer, 21st Century painting, Figurative art
By Timothy Archer
Located in Paris, FR
Oil paint, pastel and charcoal on paper Signed and dated by the artist lower left
Paper, Charcoal, Oil Pastel, Oil
$530
H 9.65 in W 7.68 in
Valér Ferenczy (1885-1954) - Framed Hungarian School Etching, Lady with Shawl
Located in Corsham, GB
A charming coloured etching of a European lady, wearing a white headscarf and pink shawl. The sitter stands with her arms folded, gazing to left with a subdued smile. The artist's et...
Etching
$577Sale Price|20% Off
H 13 in W 10.63 in D 0.04 in
Harmony. A tender, sweet and gentle etching with mother, daughter and a goat:)
Located in Oslo, NO
This tender and serene etching captures a simple, beautiful moment — a girl lovingly brushing a goat, while her mother braids her hair. It’s a quiet, peaceful scene that brings to mi...
Paper, Etching
$3,126
H 22.05 in W 29.93 in
Wandering out in the dark -Daniel Erban, 20th Century, Outsider Figurative paint
By Daniel Erban
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint on paper Signed Unique work
Paper, Acrylic
$3,487
H 25.6 in W 19.69 in D 1.97 in
Incarnations with lotus flower -Timothy Archer, 21st Century painting Figurative
By Timothy Archer
Located in Paris, FR
Oil paint, pastel and charcoal on paper Signed and dated by the artist lower left
Paper, Charcoal, Oil Pastel, Oil
$1,000
H 24 in W 24 in
"Kobe", by Street Artist Sean 9 Lugo, In Memoriam, Kobe Bryant
By Sean 9 Lugo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Kobe" is an original contemporary wall-hanging artwork by Sean 9 Lugo, known artistically for his gallery artwork, murals, and street art. The piece features the artist's signature ...
Paper, Found Objects, Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Permanent Marker, Aquatint
$3,246
H 22.05 in W 29.93 in
The sorrows of your changing face -Daniel Erban, 20th Century, Outsider painting
By Daniel Erban
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint on paper Signed Unique work
Paper, Acrylic
$3,246
H 22.05 in W 29.93 in
A lonely ghost the ghost is -Daniel Erban, 20th Century, Outsider art painting
By Daniel Erban
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint on paper Signed Unique work
Paper, Acrylic
$3,246
H 22.05 in W 29.93 in
Dishevelled wandering stars -Daniel Erban, 20th Century, Outsider art painting
By Daniel Erban
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint on paper Signed Unique work
Paper, Acrylic
$5,891
H 47.25 in W 31.5 in D 1.97 in
Wake up ! Caroline Veith, 21st Century art, Contemporary figurative painting red
By Caroline Veith
Located in Paris, FR
Vinyl paint, ink and Posca on tracing paper and cut paper Signed and dated lower left Unique work
Paper, Vinyl