Keith Haring 'Radiant Baby' Framed Poster

This item is a large-format framed poster featuring the iconic 'Radiant Baby' motif by American artist Keith Haring. The artwork depicts a white crawling figure outlined in bold black, surrounded by rhythmic black radiating lines, set against a vibrant, saturated red background typical of Pop Art aesthetics. The artist's name, 'KEITH HARING,' is printed in lowercase sans-serif lettering along the bottom margin. The piece is housed in a thin, yellow-toned metal or plastic frame that complements the primary color palette of the image. The poster appears to be a lithographic print on paper, protected by a reflective glaze (likely glass or acrylic). Physically, the item exhibits signs of being a vintage exhibition or commercial poster from the late 20th century. Notable condition observations include minor rippling of the paper substrate beneath the glaze, suggesting some humidity exposure or improper mounting over time. There are two small white adhesive tags or labels visible in the upper corners of the frame, likely inventory or auction lot stickers. The frame itself shows minor scuffing consistent with age. As a piece of contemporary art ephemera, it represents the street-art-to-gallery movement of the 1980s, characterized by bold lines and universal symbolism.

I have virtually examined this large-format framed poster featuring Keith Haring’s 'Radiant Baby.' Based on the typography and saturation, I identify this as a vintage commercial exhibition or licensed poster, likely dating from the 1990s or early 2000s, rather than a limited edition signed lithograph. The bold red background and thick linework are consistent with Haring’s Pop Shop aesthetic. Condition-wise, I observe noticeable 'cockling' or rippling of the paper substrate. This indicates the piece was not dry-mounted or has been exposed to humidity, which detracts slightly from the value. The yellow metal frame is consistent with late-20th-century framing trends, though 'lot' stickers on the glazing suggest recent transit through the secondary market. The market for Haring ephemera remains robust; however, mass-produced posters are tiered significantly lower than hand-signed editions. Similar large-format 'Radiant Baby' posters in original vintage frames typically hammer between $300 and $800 depending on the specific edition (e.g., Tony Shafrazi Gallery vs. generic Pop Shop prints). Limitations: This appraisal is based solely on visual digital evidence. A definitive valuation and authentication would require an in-person inspection to determine the printing method (lithography vs. offset) and to check for watermarks or printer’s credits hidden under the frame lip. I would need to examine the reverse side for stamps and review provenance documentation to confirm the exact year of production. True authentication of Haring's work often requires verification of the licensed estate markings, as numerous unauthorized reproductions exist in the market.