Billionaire collector Ken Griffin has significantly expanded his holdings of Jean-Michel Basquiat, notably acquiring the 1983 masterpiece 'In Italian' from the collection of Peter Brant. The acquisition came to light through press materials for an upcoming exhibition at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) titled "Basquiat: Figures, Signs, Symbols," which will showcase nearly a dozen works from Griffin’s private collection. The show, curated by PAMM director Franklin Sirmans and Griffin’s curator Megan Kincaid, includes other high-profile acquisitions such as the 1982 'Untitled (Skull)' previously purchased from Yusaku Maezawa.
This buying spree underscores the continued dominance of Basquiat in the blue-chip art market and the immense purchasing power of Griffin, who is positioning himself as a primary custodian of the artist's legacy. By loaning these works for a major museum exhibition, Griffin is not only increasing the public visibility of his collection but also reinforcing the provenance and institutional prestige of his recent multi-million dollar investments. The movement of 'In Italian' from the Brant collection to Griffin marks a significant shift in the ownership of one of Basquiat’s most historically significant works, which was once owned by Andy Warhol.