Jean-Michel Basquiat remains an influential figure in modern art history. His journey from a street graffiti writer to a gallery sensation defined the creative energy of New York City in the 1980s.
This quiz explores his life, artistic growth, and legacy. You will find questions about his early tags, his famous collaborations with Andy Warhol, and the recurring motifs that made his style instantly recognizable.
Once you finish, you can learn more about other famous artists. We also have quizzes on contemporary art and art movements.
Before becoming a world-renowned painter, Jean-Michel Basquiat gained notoriety for his graffiti tag in Lower Manhattan. What was this tag?
URBAN
URBAN
TAGO
TAGO
KINGS
KINGS
SAMO
SAMO
In which NYC neighborhood did Basquiat and Al Diaz primarily spray-paint their cryptic messages as SAMO?
The Bronx
The Bronx
Lower East Side
Lower East Side
Queens
Queens
Harlem
Harlem
Which recurring visual motif became a signature element in Basquiat’s work, often used to signify greatness or royalty?
A skull
A skull
A crown
A crown
An eye
An eye
A bird
A bird
In which year did the landmark group exhibition ‘New York/New Wave’ at PS1, which featured Basquiat’s paintings, take place?
1980
1980
1979
1979
1981
1981
1982
1982
In 1980, what seminal group art exhibition helped launch Basquiat’s transition from the streets to the gallery scene?
The downtown Graffiti Showcase
The downtown Graffiti Showcase
The Times Square Show
The Times Square Show
The MoMA debut exhibition
The MoMA debut exhibition
The Factory Exhibition
The Factory Exhibition
Which iconic Pop artist first met Basquiat at a SoHo restaurant, eventually leading to a famous collaborative partnership?
Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Keith Haring
Keith Haring
Julian Schnabel
Julian Schnabel
Glenn O’Brien
Glenn O’Brien
Basquiat is a central figure in which art movement that emerged during the late 1970s and 80s?
Abstract Expressionism
Abstract Expressionism
Jazz music
Jazz music
Futurism
Futurism
Neo-Expressionism
Neo-Expressionism
During which years did Basquiat and Andy Warhol produce their series of over 100 collaborative paintings?
1984-1985
1984-1985
1982-1983
1982-1983
1986-1987
1986-1987
1980-1981
1980-1981
Which of the following did Basquiat frequently depict in his paintings as a way to reclaim cultural identity?
Famous boxing champions
Famous boxing champions
Renaissance popes
Renaissance popes
Medieval European knights
Medieval European knights
Classical ballet dancers
Classical ballet dancers
In what year did Jean-Michel Basquiat pass away?
1988
1988
1986
1986
1987
1987
1989
1989
What was the official cause of Basquiat’s untimely death in his Great Jones Street studio?
Pneumonia
Pneumonia
Car accident
Car accident
Heart failure
Heart failure
Overdose
Overdose
In 2017, a 1982 painting by Basquiat depicting a skull sold for over $100 million. What was the final purchase price, including fees?
$110.5 million
$110.5 million
$115.5 million
$115.5 million
$120.5 million
$120.5 million
$105.5 million
$105.5 million
Which Basquiat painting is currently his highest-selling work at auction?
In This Case (1983)
In This Case (1983)
Irony of Negro Policeman (1981)
Irony of Negro Policeman (1981)
Dustheads (1982)
Dustheads (1982)
Untitled (1982)
Untitled (1982)
In which New York City borough was Jean-Michel Basquiat born?
The Bronx
The Bronx
Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Staten Island
Staten Island
Manhattan
Manhattan
Before focusing entirely on visual art, what was the name of the experimental music group Basquiat co-founded in 1979?
Liquid Liquid
Liquid Liquid
DNA
DNA
Gray
Gray
Konk
Konk
Which surprising detail about Basquiat’s artistic process is frequently cited by his contemporaries?
He was a skilled marathon runner
He was a skilled marathon runner
He kept an extensive collection of art books in his studio
He kept an extensive collection of art books in his studio
He worked as a professional chef before painting
He worked as a professional chef before painting
He was a classically trained opera singer
He was a classically trained opera singer
Which book, given to Basquiat as a child by his mother, strongly influenced the skeletal imagery found in his later paintings?
Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland
Gray’s Anatomy
Gray’s Anatomy
Treasure Island
Treasure Island
The Book of the Dead
The Book of the Dead
Who purchased the historic $110.5 million Basquiat painting, ‘Untitled’, in 2017?
François Pinault
François Pinault
Yusaku Maezawa
Yusaku Maezawa
Eli Broad
Eli Broad
Bernard Arnault
Bernard Arnault
Which historical master did Basquiat famously admire and reference in his own notebook sketches?
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh
In which year did Basquiat become the first Black artist to appear on the cover of The New York Times Magazine?
1986
1986
1984
1984
1985
1985
1987
1987
Which fellow artist directed the 1996 biographical film about Basquiat’s life?
Julian Schnabel
Julian Schnabel
Madonna
Madonna
David Bowie
David Bowie
Dennis Hopper
Dennis Hopper
Which actor portrayed Jean-Michel Basquiat in the 1996 biographical film titled ‘Basquiat’?
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson
Will Smith
Will Smith
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington
Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wright
You can do better
Not bad
Great!
If you enjoyed this, try our other trivia in the art section. You can find creative landmarks in cities of the world or test yourself on symbols in art.
