Bad Boys 4 is a 1986 Keith Haring print that pushes the boundaries of its time. The work, hailing from a portfolio of similar prints also entitled Bad Boys, is a testament to the artist’s ability to seamlessly intertwine the provocative and the graceful, resulting in imagery that is both daring and beautifully crafted.

Bad Boys 4 emerged at a time when conservative attitudes towards sexuality and nudity prevailed, particularly in mainstream society. Haring’s unabashed portrayal of a man exploring his own body in a provocative manner went against the grain of social propriety. The artwork was a deliberate challenge to the notion that such expressions of human sexuality were deemed inappropriate or taboo. Separating his style from his common geometric, symbolic shapes, Haring’s usage of flowing lines and solely black and white draws attention to the shocking elements of the picture, while also providing a visual simplicity that strategically allows his audience to experience Bad Boys 4 in an approachable, accessible manner.

Contextualizing the Bad Boys portfolio, made by an openly gay in the scope of the 1980s, unfolds a nuanced realm of thematic possibilities. Throughout the print series, sexuality comes into play, often with the layering of multiple male figures in the nude. Haring seems to be speaking to queer exploration and identity as well as sensual expression during a time when both were especially taboo and fighting the undercurrent of the AIDS epidemic and the stigma around it. Remaining true to his own identity and passion for social justice, Haring’s fearless authenticity made it possible for his audiences to connect with his experiences and walk into their own truth.