Untitled (Man On Dolphin)
by Keith Haring
Year: 1987
Medium: Lithograph
Size: 29 2/5 × 35 2/5″ in (74.8 × 90 cm)
Lithograph on wove paper, with full margins
Edition of 170 + 25AP
Capturing Keith Haring’s exuberant 1980s visual language, Untitled (Man on Dolphin) (1987) is a lithograph on wove paper with full margins, measuring 29 2/5 × 35 2/5 inches (74.8 × 90 cm). Issued in an edition of 170 plus 25 artist’s proofs, the work unites movement, play, and symbolic freedom. Its strong period relevance and limited edition make it a compelling acquisition for discerning collectors.
First appearing in Haring’s late-1980s body of work, Untitled (Man on Dolphin) brings together two recurring ideas: the human figure and the animal as a vehicle for movement. The rider’s dynamic pose and the dolphin’s sweeping form create a sense of freedom, play, and shared energy. Like much of Haring’s work, the image is simple on the surface but open to readings about harmony, motion, sexuality, and human connection.
There is no documented street-graffiti version of this exact composition. Its visual language, however, comes directly from Haring’s subway drawings, where bold contours and instantly readable figures made complex ideas accessible in public space.
For collectors, the work is appealing for its rarity and strong recognition value. Haring’s dolphin imagery is less ubiquitous than his radiant baby, barking dog, and dancing figures, giving this composition added distinction. Its market importance also reflects Haring’s enduring position among the defining artists of the 1980s.
From a gallery perspective, the work feels unusually lyrical. The dolphin becomes more than an animal; it carries the figure forward, turning movement into a metaphor for freedom.
It belongs to Haring’s mature period and connects naturally to his recurring animal and human motifs. For collectors seeking a less predictable but unmistakably Haring image, this is a particularly engaging choice.
Keith Haring (1958–1990) was an influential American artist known for his bold lines, vivid colors, and instantly recognizable figures that helped define the New York art scene of the 1980s. Combining elements of Pop Art, graffiti, and street culture, Haring created energetic artworks featuring dancing figures, barking dogs, radiant babies, and symbolic imagery exploring humanity, love, social justice, and political activism.
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Haring moved to New York City in 1978 to study at the School of Visual Arts. He gained public attention through his chalk drawings on unused subway advertising panels, transforming everyday urban spaces into accessible public art. His distinctive visual language soon attracted international recognition and led to exhibitions, collaborations, and large-scale murals.
In 1986, Haring opened the Pop Shop in Manhattan, offering prints, clothing, and other products featuring his designs. The shop reflected his belief that art should reach people beyond traditional galleries and museums. Throughout his career, he addressed important social issues, including racism, apartheid, drug abuse, and the AIDS epidemic.
After being diagnosed with AIDS in 1988, Haring continued creating art and established the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989 to support AIDS-related organizations and children's programs. He died in 1990, aged 31, leaving a lasting legacy in contemporary art.
Today, Keith Haring art prints and original artworks remain sought after by collectors worldwide. Understanding an artwork's edition, condition, provenance, and market history is essential when evaluating its value. Explore our guide to Keith Haring print valuation and learn more about the investment potential of Keith Haring art.
More Keith Haring Works to Explore
Untitled (Man On Dolphin)
by Keith Haring
Year: 1987
Medium: Lithograph
Size: 29 2/5 × 35 2/5″ in (74.8 × 90 cm)
Lithograph on wove paper, with full margins
Capturing Keith Haring’s exuberant 1980s visual language, Untitled (Man on Dolphin) (1987) is a lithograph on wove paper with full margins, measuring 29 2/5 × 35 2/5 inches (74.8 × 90 cm). Issued in an edition of 170 plus 25 artist’s proofs, the work unites movement, play, and symbolic freedom. Its strong period relevance and limited edition make it a compelling acquisition for discerning collectors.
First appearing in Haring’s late-1980s body of work, Untitled (Man on Dolphin) brings together two recurring ideas: the human figure and the animal as a vehicle for movement. The rider’s dynamic pose and the dolphin’s sweeping form create a sense of freedom, play, and shared energy. Like much of Haring’s work, the image is simple on the surface but open to readings about harmony, motion, sexuality, and human connection.
There is no documented street-graffiti version of this exact composition. Its visual language, however, comes directly from Haring’s subway drawings, where bold contours and instantly readable figures made complex ideas accessible in public space.
For collectors, the work is appealing for its rarity and strong recognition value. Haring’s dolphin imagery is less ubiquitous than his radiant baby, barking dog, and dancing figures, giving this composition added distinction. Its market importance also reflects Haring’s enduring position among the defining artists of the 1980s.
From a gallery perspective, the work feels unusually lyrical. The dolphin becomes more than an animal; it carries the figure forward, turning movement into a metaphor for freedom.
It belongs to Haring’s mature period and connects naturally to his recurring animal and human motifs. For collectors seeking a less predictable but unmistakably Haring image, this is a particularly engaging choice.
Keith Haring (1958–1990) was an influential American artist known for his bold lines, vivid colors, and instantly recognizable figures that helped define the New York art scene of the 1980s. Combining elements of Pop Art, graffiti, and street culture, Haring created energetic artworks featuring dancing figures, barking dogs, radiant babies, and symbolic imagery exploring humanity, love, social justice, and political activism.
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Haring moved to New York City in 1978 to study at the School of Visual Arts. He gained public attention through his chalk drawings on unused subway advertising panels, transforming everyday urban spaces into accessible public art. His distinctive visual language soon attracted international recognition and led to exhibitions, collaborations, and large-scale murals.
In 1986, Haring opened the Pop Shop in Manhattan, offering prints, clothing, and other products featuring his designs. The shop reflected his belief that art should reach people beyond traditional galleries and museums. Throughout his career, he addressed important social issues, including racism, apartheid, drug abuse, and the AIDS epidemic.
After being diagnosed with AIDS in 1988, Haring continued creating art and established the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989 to support AIDS-related organizations and children's programs. He died in 1990, aged 31, leaving a lasting legacy in contemporary art.
Today, Keith Haring art prints and original artworks remain sought after by collectors worldwide. Understanding an artwork's edition, condition, provenance, and market history is essential when evaluating its value. Explore our guide to Keith Haring print valuation and learn more about the investment potential of Keith Haring art.