Egypt Day and Night #109 by Keith Haring

Egypt Day and Night #109

Keith Haring · 1978

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“Step into a vibrant, early work by Keith Haring where ancient Egyptian symbols collide with energetic, modern forms, hinting at the iconic visual language he would soon unleash upon the world.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This early work by Keith Haring, from 1978, shows a vibrant, almost hieroglyphic scene, rendered in watercolor and gouache. The composition is packed with overlapping figures and symbols, creating a sense of constant motion. You can see a blend of ancient Egyptian motifs, like pyramids and stylized eyes, alongside more contemporary, almost cartoonish forms. The palette is bright and energetic, with bold blues, reds, and yellows dominating the white paper. This piece reveals Haring's nascent interest in universal symbols and a visual language that transcends traditional narratives, a precursor to the iconic style he would develop later in his career. The frenetic energy and symbolic density here suggest an artist already exploring how simple forms can convey complex ideas about human experience and culture.

DETAILS
Artist
Keith Haring
Date
1978
Medium
Watercolor with gouache on white wove paper
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
40.9 × 30.9 cm (16 1/8 × 12 3/16 in.)
ART MOVEMENTS
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What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Egypt Day and Night #109
01

Look for the two prominent pyramids, one red and one blue, near the center.

02

Find the large, stylized eye at the top left, reminiscent of ancient Egyptian art.

03

Notice the repeating, almost stick-figure human forms throughout the composition.

04

Observe the sun-like disc with radiating lines, a common Haring motif.

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THE ARTIST

Keith Haring

1958–1989 · United States

Keith Haring transformed New York City subway chalk drawings into a globally recognized visual language, addressing urgent social issues with his iconic Radiant Baby and dancing figures.

Read Haring’s full story
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