‘Peso Neto’ by Jean Michel-Basquiat Headlines Sotheby’s Fall 2025 Auction

‘Peso Neto’ by Jean Michel-Basquiat, 1981

Crowns (Peso Neto), by Jean Michel Basquiat, is more than a painting, more than mere artwork - this painting represents the moment Basquiat introduced himself to the world. At just 21 years old at his first solo exhibition, Basquiat, now world renowned, couldn’t have imagined his artwork now fetching upwards of $45,000,000. The famed artwork heads to Sotheby’s Fall 2025 Auction and is set to steal the entire show.

The history behind this painting itself tells an amazing story of wonder and adventure. First debuted at the Annina Nosei Gallery in March of 1982, this painting also garnered Basquiat an invitation to documenta 7 in Kassel, Germany where he was one of the youngest artist to participate. Basquiat’s legendary crown tops this painting three times leaving viewers in revere as Basquiat’s Crown is one of the most significant symbols in contemporary art. This artwork will be auctioned this November and is expected to open at $35,000,000 and can reach upwards of $45,000,000 - the most for any Basquiat artwork ever auctioned.