Basquiat painting ‘Untitled’ sells for record $110.5 million

The auction at Sotheby’s also set a record price for an American artist.

This April 29, 2016 file photo shows Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “Untitled” on display at Christie's auction house in New York. This 1982 artwork of the late American artist went under the hammer for a record $110.5 million at Sotheby’s auction of contemporary art on Thursday night.

A 1982 artwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat sold for a record $110.5 million at Sotheby’s auction of contemporary art on Thursday night.

Sotheby’s said the sale of “Untitled” was an auction record for the artist. It also set a record price for an American artist at auction. The painting’s graffiti-like typography depicts a face in the shape of a skull.

Goes to Japanese collector

The piece was purchased by noted Japanese collector and e-commerce entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa after a 10-minute bidding war.

“When I saw this painting, I was struck with so much excitement and gratitude for my love of art,” said Mr. Maezawa, who plans to display it in his museum in Chiba, Japan after loaning it to institutions and exhibitions around the world.

“Untitled” was virtually unknown before it was unveiled at Sotheby’s weeks ago. The auction house said it remained in the same private collection since it was bought at auction in 1984 for $19,000.

The previous auction record for a Basquiat work was set last May when “Untitled, 1982” sold for $57.3 million, also to Mr. Maezawa.

Basquiat died of a drug overdose in 1988 at the age of 27.