Rude Copper (Anarchy)
Rude Copper (Anarchy)
Signed Mixed Media
Banksy
£800,000-£1,200,000Value Indicator
$1,710,000-$2,570,000 Value Indicator
$1,470,000-$2,200,000 Value Indicator
¥7,520,000-¥11,280,000 Value Indicator
€940,000-€1,410,000 Value Indicator
$8,040,000-$12,060,000 Value Indicator
¥150,940,000-¥226,420,000 Value Indicator
$1,030,000-$1,550,000 Value Indicator
AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
There aren't enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.
Medium: Mixed Media
Edition size: 250
Year: 2002
Size: H 59cm x W 42cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Mixed Media
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2020 | Forum Auctions London | United Kingdom |
Meaning & Analysis
Rude Copper is one of Banksy’s most iconic, earliest images, released in 2002 as a signed screen print in black with unique grey spray painting, edition of 250.
Rude Copper (Anarchy) is a screen print on wove paper made by the internationally acclaimed street artist Banksy in 2002. The print comes in an edition size of 250 and shows a British policeman, identifiable from his uniform and helmet. The policeman is captured from waist up holding his middle finger up out in front of him. The policeman is staring out of the composition and appears to be swearing at the viewer of the print.
The policeman is rendered using a stencil and black and white spray paint, a characteristic feature of Banksy’s visual language. Banksy adopted the stencil technique in the 1990s as it enabled him to produce simple images in a fraction of the time and thus helped the artist evade being captured by the police.
Banksy often depicts police officers in his artworks which are always steeped in irony as many of the artist’s graffiti artworks and murals are illegal and have to be produced in secret. In Rude Copper (Anarchy) an ‘A’ is spray painted in grey over the policeman’s face. The letter, which stands as a visual representation for anarchy, hints at Banksy's anti-establishment values which are frequently reflected in the artist’s works.
Renowned British street artist, Banksy, is the enigmatic figure behind some of the most subversive works in the Urban Art scene. Despite his anonymity, the artists' disruptive stunts have not only gained him notoriety, but they have vocalised his stance on many social and political issues. As seen with the likes of Girl With Balloon and Napalm, Banksy uses his distinctive stencil technique to produce thought-provoking commentaries on challenging themes. The showcase of rebellion that lines his work has caused his secondary market value to soar in recent years, propelling him to the top of the Urban Art scene.
