Keith Haring’s Three Lithographs 1, from the 1985 portfolio, is a striking example of the artist’s ability to transform simple line and form into an electrifying visual language. Executed at the height of his career, this work embodies the immediacy and rhythmic energy that defined Haring’s practice, bridging the gap between the street and the gallery with remarkable clarity.

In this composition, Haring deploys his signature bold line to animate a group of stylized figures, their bodies interlocked in a dynamic choreography of movement. The scene radiates with vitality—forms twisting and bending in unison, suggesting both individual expression and collective energy. Rendered with lithographic precision, the plate retains the raw spontaneity of Haring’s subway drawings, yet elevates the imagery into a refined editioned artwork, balancing accessibility with sophistication.

Plate 1 exemplifies Haring’s recurring themes: the interconnectedness of human beings, the pulse of urban life, and the universal power of movement as communication. Its stark contrasts and reductive palette heighten the visual impact, reinforcing Haring’s belief in creating images that speak directly to a wide audience. The print’s immediacy is underscored by its graphic clarity, yet beneath the playful aesthetic lies a deeper commentary on unity, community, and shared vitality.

As part of the Three Lithographs portfolio, Plate 1 reflects Haring’s exploration of fine printmaking at a pivotal moment in his career. The portfolio is celebrated for distilling his street-born energy into a medium of permanence, offering collectors and institutions a rare opportunity to engage with Haring’s vision in a form both intimate and enduring. Today, Plate 1 stands as a testament to Haring’s unique ability to channel the spirit of his time into imagery that remains as resonant, joyful, and relevant as ever.

Other works in the Keith Haring Three Lithographs, 1985 portfolio:

Keith Haring Three Lithographs 1

Keith Haring Three Lithographs 2

Keith Haring Three Lithographs 3

Created in 1985,  Three Lithographs (Plate 1) from the Three Lithographs Portfolio is hand-signed by Keith Haring (Reading, 1958 – New York, 1990) in pencil in the bottom right margin and numbered from the edition of 80.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Keith Haring Three Lithographs (Plate 1) from the Three Lithographs Portfolio, 1985 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Littmann, Klaus. Keith Haring: Editions on Paper 1982-1990 (The Complete Printed Works). Germany: Hatje Cantz Publishers, 1993. Listed and illustrated on pgs. 38 and 39.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Keith Haring Three Lithographs (Plate 1) from the Three Lithographs Portfolio, 1985 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.