Keith Haring, Pop Shop IV (Plate 2), from the Pop Shop IV Portfolio, 1989

Artist: Keith Haring (1958 - 1990)
Title: Pop Shop IV (Plate 2), from the Pop Shop IV Portfolio, 1989
Reference:Littmann P. 146 b
Series:Pop Shop IV, 1989
Medium:Silkscreen
Image Size:14 ½ in x 11 1/4 in (36.8 cm x 28.6 cm)
Sheet Size:16 ½ in x 13 ½ in (41.9 cm x 34.3 cm)
Framed Size:approx. 21 1/2 in x 18 1/2 in (54.6 cm x 47 cm)
Edition:Numbered from the edition of 200 in pencil in the lower right margin.
Signature:This work is hand-signed by Keith Haring (Reading, 1958 – New York, 1990) in pencil in the lower right margin.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition.
ID #w-10147

Historical Description

Keith Haring Pop Shop IV (Plate 2), 1989 is the second print out of four silkscreen prints in the artist’s Pop Shop IV portfolio of 1989. One of Haring’s most famous motifs, the crawling baby, is the focus of this print. Held up high by two human like figures in red, the baby is brown, an important choice by Haring, who consistently tackled issues like racial inequality and discrimination in his art. Light seems to emanate out from the baby, signified by the small black lines shooting away from the infant. This symbol is often referred to as the “radiant baby” and represents the sacredness and innocence of children, as well as refers to religion and the image of a baby Jesus.

Haring created multiple Pop Shop portfolios during the span of his career, and derived the name from his original Pop Shop that he opened in a retail space in downtown New York in 1986. This shop was opened with the intention of making the artist’s work accessible to the general public. Haring was incredibly passionate about bringing his art to the people, and he worked hard to make art more accessible to people everywhere.

Keith Haring’s Pop Shop IV (Plate 2), 1989 is part of a portfolio of four screenprints in the artist’s Pop Shop III portfolio of 1987. This body of work depicts some of the artist’s iconic figures in a limited palette of red, brown, yellow and black. Also featured in this portfolio are Pop Shop IV (Plate 1), Pop Shop IV (Plate 3) and Pop Shop IV (Plate 4).

Created in 1989, this silkscreen is hand-signed by Keith Haring (Reading, 1958 – New York, 1990) in pencil in the center right image and numbered from the edition of 200 in pencil in the center right image.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Keith Haring Pop Shop IV (Plate 2), from the Pop Shop IV Portfolio, 1989 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. Klaus Littman. Keith Haring: Editions on Paper 1982-1990, The Complete Printed Works. Hatje Cantz Publishers: New York, 1993. Listed on pg. 147 and illustrated on pg. 146 b.

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Keith Haring Pop Shop IV (Plate 2), from the Pop Shop IV Portfolio, 1989 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.