New acquisition by Keith Haring

The artist designed various watch faces for Swatch. This model, GZ 100 titled Modele Avec Personnages is part of a series of four designs that Haring created for the watch brand in 1985. The drawing of the four red and eight blue human figures with black outlines on a yellow background is the most distinctive and powerful within the series. Art and design aficionado Arthur van Schendel purchased the watch immediately when it was released in 1986, just before Haring's first solo museum exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum. He was able to wear it as a tribute to the artist at the opening later that year and show it to him. It sold out quickly after its introduction. Now, on the occasion of the presentation of Amsterdam Notes, which Haring created specifically for that exhibition, Schendel is donating the watch to the Stedelijk Museum so that it can be included in the collection of industrial design. Until November 5th, the largest and smallest work by Keith Haring in the museum's collection can be seen together in the gallery of honor.