The Guilt of Gold Teeth is a painting created by American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1982. The painting, which depicts Baron Samedi, sold for $40 million at Christie's in November 2021.[1]

The Guilt of Gold Teeth
Artist	Jean-Michel Basquiat
Year	1982
Medium	Acrylic, spray paint and oilstick on canvas
Movement	Neo-expressionism
Dimensions	240 cm × 421.3 cm (94 1/2 in × 165 7/8 in)

History

The Guilt of Gold Teeth was created Jean-Michel Basquiat during his second stay in Modena, Italy, as his star was rapidly ascending.[2] Basquiat had a planned show at Emilio Mazzoli's gallery in Modena in March 1982. Feeling exploited, the show was cancelled because Basquiat was pressured to churn out eight canvases in one week.[3] He severed ties with Mazzoli and his New York dealer Annina Nosei shortly thereafter.[4]

The painting—which measures almost 14 feet across—features Baron Samedi, chief of the Guédé family of loa in Haitian Vodou, responsible for accepting individuals into death and resurrection.[5] The keeper of death's iconography includes a black top hat and long black coat, and his face painted like a skull.[6] Basquiat, whose father was from Haiti, also portrayed Baron Samedi in his 1987 painting Después de un Puño.[7]

The Guilt of Gold Teeth was sold at Sotheby's for $387,500 in 1998.[8] In November 2021, it sold for $40 million at Christie's 21st Century Art Evening Sale in New York.

References