The Notorious B.I.G.

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Details

The Notorious B.I.G.
Barron Claiborne
Notorious B.I.G. as the (K.O.N.Y.), circa 1997 [printed 2006]
Chromogenic print, signed, titled and dated in blue ink by the photographer verso, with photographers credit ink- stamp and fingerprint
23½x19½in. (59.5x49.5cm.), framed

Provenance

Ex-lot 90, Pop Culture, Christie's, New York, 23 June, 2009

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Lot Essay

This portrait was taken days before Christopher George Latore Wallace, otherwise known as the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie or Biggie Smalls, met his untimely death when he was fatally shot in Los Angeles on March 9th, 1997: It’s kind of sad, because he left my studio to go to the airport, to go out there where he got killed. It was two or three days before. He went to the airport from my place. I still have the crown, too.

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