1988
The darker undertones hidden beneath Keith Haring's playful and graffiti-like art have always been present, long before the creation of his 'Apocalypse Suite' in 1988, where cynicism was at its most powerful and confrontational. His earlier works depict themes of violence, monsters, nuclear radiation, fallen angels and the crucifixion. The 'Apocalypse Suite' was completed the year Haring was tragically diagnosed with AIDS and began a period when the sudden precariousness of life left visible imprints on his art. In 1988, he said that 'all of the things that you make are a quest for immortality. Because you're making these things that you know have a different kind of life'. When the dream for immortality is cut short, the artist created darker reflective imagery with greater urgency than ever before.
The complete set of 10 screenprints in colours, 1988, on Museum Board, with accompanying text by William Burroughs screenprinted on acetate, each sheet signed, dated and numbered from the edition of 90 in pencil (there were also 20 artist's proofs and 5 hors commerce sets), published by George Mulder Fine Arts, New York (with the artist and publisher's copyright inkstamps on the reverse), 96.5 x 96.5 cm. (38 x 38 in.)
Klaus Littmann pp. 98-109
The complete set of 10 screenprints in colours, 1988, on Museum Board, with accompanying text by William Burroughs screenprinted on acetate, each sheet signed, dated and numbered from the edition of 90 in pencil (there were also 20 artist's proofs and 5 hors commerce sets), published by George Mulder Fine Arts, New York (with the artist and publisher's copyright inkstamps on the reverse), 96.5 x 96.5 cm. (38 x 38 in.)
Klaus Littmann pp. 98-109
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
