Keith Haring Portrait of Joseph Beuys For Sale

Portrait of Joseph Beuys is a silkscreen on canvas print executed by the artist in 1986. It is a rare example of a figurative portrait by Haring, who is often most recognised for his visual lexicon of dancing matchstick figures, barking dogs and extraterrestrials. 

Joseph Beuys was widely regarded as one of the most important conceptual artists of the twentieth century. His work had strong social and political foundations. Haring had met Beuys through their mutual friend, Warhol, and it is likely that Haring admired him as an artist who was also concerned with inciting social change. In Haring’s own view, art should ‘provoke the imagination and encourages people to go further’. 

In this portrait Haring’s signature broad lines emphasise Beuys’ chiselled features. Fluid lines follow from the top and bottom of his face, giving the impression that Beuys’ forms part of a tree trunk. With trees traditionally connoting wisdom and life, Haring expresses an admiration for his fellow artist. Notably Beuys had passed away in the year of this print, so it is likely a print that honours his memory.