Within a year, Basquiat became one of the most talked-about young artists in New York. His work was featured in major galleries, and he became the youngest artist ever to exhibit at Documenta in Germany. His rise was swift, unprecedented, and transformative.

The Shoot: “All I had with me was a twin lens Rolleiflex camera, one strobe, and a 4-foot-wide grey seamless paper. I hung it up, had him stand in front of it, and began taking pictures.” – Richard Corman