A rare Banksy painting that reinterprets Jack Vettriano’s iconic The Singing Butler has sold for nearly $5.5 million at a Sotheby’s auction in London. The sale comes just one day after the announcement of Vettriano's passing at 73. Banksy’s satirical version, Crude Oil (Vettriano), reimagines the romantic beach scene with environmental and societal commentary, featuring an oil spill and hazmat-clad figures.
A rare painting by the elusive street artist Banksy, which offers a satirical twist on Jack Vettriano's iconic The Singing Butler, has fetched an impressive £4.3 million ($5.5 million) at a London auction, Sotheby’s confirmed on Tuesday. The sale of Crude Oil (Vettriano), which is sometimes referred to as Toxic Beach, comes at a poignant moment, just one day after the death of the Scottish artist Vettriano, aged 73.
Vettriano’s original painting, The Singing Butler, is a much-loved and widely recognized work that portrays a couple dancing on a beach while a butler and maid hold umbrellas against the wind. The romantic piece made history in 2004 when it set a Scottish auction record, selling for £744,800. It also became one of the UK’s best-selling print reproductions, surpassing even the works of Monet and Van Gogh. Its wide appeal and popularity as a print seemed to attract Banksy’s attention, prompting the artist to challenge its romanticized narrative in his own reimagining.
Banksy’s version, Crude Oil (Vettriano), dramatically alters the scene. The tranquil beach setting is marred by an ominous oil spill, with a sinking oil tanker in the background. Two figures, clad in hazmat suits, are seen pushing a barrel of toxic waste across the beach, adding a grim commentary on environmental pollution and corporate negligence. This work, part of Banksy's 2005 exhibition Crude Oils: A Gallery of Re-mixed Masterpieces, Vandalism and Vermin, reflects the artist’s signature blend of dark humor and biting social commentary. Sotheby’s noted that the piece addresses urgent global issues, including environmental degradation, pollution, and the ever-growing capitalist landscape.
The painting was sold by US musician and Blink-182 co-founder Mark Hoppus, who expressed the personal significance of the piece to his family. “It's seen laughter and tears and parties and arguments. Our son has grown up in front of it,” Hoppus said. However, he explained that he now intends to use some of the proceeds to support emerging artists, purchasing works from younger creatives. This shift in focus highlights a desire to give back to the art community that continues to evolve in new and exciting directions.
The sale comes as the art world mourns the passing of Jack Vettriano, whose body was discovered in his flat in Nice, France, over the weekend. Known for his romanticized depictions of love and passion, Vettriano was not widely accepted by the traditional art establishment, despite his commercial success. A self-taught artist, Vettriano’s breakthrough came after a girlfriend gifted him a set of watercolors for his 21st birthday, and he quickly rose to fame with paintings that resonated with a wide audience. While his works were adored by many, including Hollywood star Jack Nicholson, he faced disdain from critics who dismissed his style as simplistic and commercial.
In contrast, Banksy remains a figure shrouded in mystery, with his identity still unknown to the public. Despite this, his works have been sold for millions and have attracted a cult following, with the artist’s powerful political statements and striking visual style making his pieces highly sought after. Banksy’s influence on contemporary art is undeniable, and his ability to subvert popular culture with sharp critiques of societal issues is one of the defining aspects of his work.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Crude Oil (Vettriano) will be donated by Hoppus to two Los Angeles-based medical charities and the California Fire Foundation, in response to the devastating wildfires that ravaged the state earlier this year, as reported by Sotheby’s.
The auction and the remarkable sum it fetched serve as a testament to Banksy’s enduring relevance in today’s art world, where he continues to provoke thought, challenge societal norms, and inspire discussions on important global issues.
With AFP
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