Christie's Hong Kong to Feature Jean-Michel Basquiat's 'Ancient Scientist' with Multi-Million Dollar Estimate at Fall Auctions

Christie's Hong Kong is set to present Jean-Michel Basquiat's seminal 1984 painting, "Ancient Scientist," as the star lot for its highly anticipated 20th and 21st Century Evening Sale on September 29, 2026. This significant artwork is projected to achieve a substantial sum, with estimates ranging from $7.2 million to $9.7 million USD, positioning it as the centerpiece of the auction house's prestigious Fall 2026 sales calendar. The year 1984 was a particularly pivotal period in Basquiat's meteoric career, notably marked by his first solo touring museum exhibition, which significantly elevated his international profile. "Ancient Scientist" itself is a powerful testament to Basquiat's distinctive artistic vision, featuring a monumental, skull-like figure that has become synonymous with his oeuvre. This iconic motif is rendered with a complex layering of visual references, drawing inspiration from a diverse and eclectic array of cultural sources. These influences span the raw power of traditional African and Oceanic sculpture, the rich narratives of mythology, the classical aesthetics of Renaissance art, the intricate details of human anatomy, and the expressive rhythms of music. This multifaceted approach underscores Basquiat's intellectual curiosity and his ability to synthesize disparate elements into a cohesive and impactful visual language.

The inclusion of "Ancient Scientist" in Christie's Hong Kong offerings continues the auction house's robust track record in the Asian market for contemporary art. This is particularly evident following the record-breaking 2021 sale of Basquiat's "Warrior," which commanded an impressive $41.8 million USD. The September 29 Evening Sale promises a compelling selection of other major works by globally recognized artists. Among these is Yayoi Kusama's "A-Pumpkin (YHP)," making its auction debut with an ambitious estimate of $6.2 million to $8.7 million USD. Kusama, a Japanese contemporary artist renowned for her immersive installations and polka dot motifs, brings another significant piece to the forefront. The sale will also feature the newly rediscovered 1957 oil painting "Sans titre (Untitled)" by Zao Wou-Ki, a Chinese-French abstract artist whose work bridges Eastern and Western artistic traditions. This piece is estimated to fetch between $2.9 million and $4.5 million USD. Further enriching the evening's catalog are notable works by Anita Magsaysay-Ho, a pioneering Filipina modernist painter, with an estimate of $1.2 million to $1.5 million USD, and Christine Ay Tjoe, an acclaimed contemporary Indonesian artist, estimated between $900,000 and $1.3 million USD.

The subsequent 20th and 21st Century Day Sales, scheduled for September 30, 2026, will continue to offer exceptional opportunities for collectors. This segment will showcase Yoshitomo Nara's 1995 painting "Q & A," a piece by the celebrated Japanese artist known for his distinctive childlike figures, estimated at $1.6 million to $2.3 million USD. Additionally, the Day Sale will present "Abstraktes Bild," a 1990 canvas by the influential German artist Gerhard Richter, whose diverse practice spans photorealistic paintings and abstract works, with an estimated price range of $1.1 million to $1.5 million USD. Together, these Fall 2026 sales at Christie's Hong Kong represent a significant convergence of modern and contemporary masterpieces, offering collectors a unique chance to acquire works from some of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, with "Ancient Scientist" standing as the undisputed highlight.