Countless publications and exhibitions deal with Jean-Michel Basquiat's life and work, but one episode has so far been largely ignored: In the summer of 1982, the New York artist traveled to Modena, Italy, at the invitation of gallery owner Emilio Mazzoli for one of his early solo exhibitions in Europe. Within a few days, he painted a group of large-format paintings that surpassed his previous work not only in terms of scale. Each measuring at least two by four meters, they mark the transition from graffiti spraying in the streets of Manhattan to painting on canvas. At the same time, they are an expression of finding an identity as an artist. The paintings - including masterpieces that are now considered the most outstanding in his oeuvre - were never shown together. With Basquiat's stay in Italy, this catalogue sheds light on a decisive moment in his career and brings the eight paintings together again for the first time.