Jean-Michel Basquiat's El Gran Espectaculo
Christie's is set to auction a painting by the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Titled El Gran Espectaculo or The Nile, the 12-foot wide canvas comes in three parts that are mounted as one piece. It was created in 1983 with acrylic and oil sticks and features the artist's signature skulls alongside nods to Ancient Egypt, including a boat led by the god Osiris. The artwork has been a part of Valentino Garavani's personal collection for the last 18 years and featured with the designer in a Vanity Fair issue. It'll be sold as part of Christie's 21st-century art evening sale at the Rockefeller Center on May 15, 2023.