[Many thanks to Peter Jordens for bringing this item to our attention.] In “Get up close with Jean-Michel Basquiat in this incredible new photography book,” Kathleen Johnston (GQ) reviews Richard Corman’s Basquiat “A Portrait.” She writes, “Captured in 1984, the photos published in Richard Corman’s limited-edition new book show a rare, intimate side of Jean-Michel Basquiat as he was on the rise to stardom. Get a sneak peek inside this next-level collectors’ item here, before heading to Vero, where all 500 (signed) copies are being exclusively sold.”

As is so often the way with late great cultural figures, there’s an insatiable public appetite for intimate photos of Jean-Michel Basquiat and yet the image of the artist that’s etched into popular consciousness are his own surreal self-portraits. We rarely get to see unflinching straight down the line images of the man behind the myth, which is precisely what makes the legendary photographer Richard Corman’s new book so exceptional.

Basquiat “A Portrait” features 79 images of the neo-expressionist artist aged 25 – around three years before he died – all taken by Corman at Basquiat’s studio in New York City in June 1984. Corman had been commissioned to photograph the maverick graffitst, painter and poet for L’Uomo Vogue, just as his star was on the rise, and set about capturing what he called “the human spirit behind the art”. In the simple but striking photos, Basquiat, dressed in a Herringbone suit, looks unflinchingly down the camera lens, exuding the kind of raw, unfiltered energy only a true portraitist can capture.

There are only 500 copies of this ultra-limited-edition book in existence and they’re being sold exclusively via next-gen social platform Vero. The beautifully presented book, all copies of which are signed by Corman himself, takes a completely unique format, folding out to over 13 feet, making it a thoroughly covetable edition to any coffee table. Take a look inside Basquiat “A Portrait” below, then head to the explore page in-app, where you can pre-order one of these next-level collector’s items now. And don’t forget to follow @BritishGQ while you’re there.

Source: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/gallery/basquiat-photo-book