Untitled (Mother Goddess) – Keith Haring – 1983

A Masterpiece of 1980s Iconography | Artquia Vault Collection

Technical Specifications

• Artist: Keith Haring (1958–1990)

• Title: Untitled (Mother Goddess), 1983

• Edition Number: 41/150 (Hand-numbered in Pencil)

• Medium: Limited Edition Lithograph on Lenox Museum Board (Estate Edition, 1990)

• Dimensions: 50 × 70 cm

• Publisher: Published by the Keith Haring Foundation

• Authentication: Plate-signed with official Foundation Estate Stamp, Embossed Blind-stamp, and Hologram Authentication Label on verso.

• Condition: Absolute Mint Condition.

The Mother Goddess: A Universal Archetype

Untitled (1983) represents the absolute height of Keith Haring’s powers, where his roots as a New York City subway graffiti artist converged with global, prehistoric iconography. The central "Mother Goddess" figure is a masterful synthesis of ancient fertility symbols—spanning from Paleolithic archetypes to deities like Ishtar, Hathor, and Artemis—reimagined through the lens of 1980s downtown New York. This totemic figure, crouching in a dynamic squat, bristles with the rhythmic energy of break-dancing and voguing, capturing a universal language of freedom and expression that is synonymous with the Haring legacy.

The Geometry of Motion & Secret Symbols

Haring’s visual language is a complex code of semiotics. In this composition, the artist cleverly hides multiple images within one:

• The Hidden Smiley: Look closely at the dancer’s pose; the hands form the eyes, while the arching blue lines of the legs create a vibrant, secret smile.

• The Broken Heart Locket: The negative space beneath the figure’s arms represents two halves of a broken heart, waiting to be reunited by the feminine "keyhole" symbol at the composition's core. This duality—referencing both ancient fertility icons and the underground queer and hip-hop communities—makes the work a monumental document of its time.

From Industrial Tarpaulin to Museum Board

The original 1983 work was part of Haring’s seminal body of work painted on industrial vinyl tarpaulins—a medium he discovered while observing Con Edison construction crews in Manhattan. Seeking a format that carried the "grit and edge" of the street while commanding the gravitas of gallery representation at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery, Haring elevated the tarp to a high-art canvas. This 1990 Estate Edition, printed on heavy-weight Lenox Museum Board, preserves that monumental energy, translating the fluidity of Haring's confident, blue-brushed lines into a permanent archival form.

Market Authority & Record-Breaking Value

This specific series represents one of Keith Haring's most expensive and sought-after periods at auction. Original tarpaulin works from 1982–1983 have fetched record-breaking prices at Sotheby’s and Christie’s, marking them as the "blue-chip" core of his career. Owning the 41/150 edition of this archetype is an acquisition of Haring’s most valuable visual DNA.

Technical & Authentication Details

• Lenox Museum Board: This acid-free, museum-grade substrate ensures the longevity of the vibrant pigments and the structural integrity of the lithograph.

• Triple-Layer Verification: Authenticity is secured via the official Foundation estate stamp, the embossed blind-stamp, and a security hologram on the verso.

• Global Provenance: Sourced from a premier European private collection, this piece represents a rare opportunity for collectors of 1980s contemporary masters.