The London auction house "Sotheby's" announced the sale of a rare work by the famous street artist Banksy for 4.3 million pounds sterling (more than 5.3 million dollars). The piece "Crude Oil (Viatrano)" is sometimes known as "Toxic Beach", inspired by the well-known work of recently deceased Scottish artist Jack Vitriano.
Displayed at the auction house yesterday, the piece was first showcased at a large exhibition of Banksy's work in 2005. Although Banksy is primarily known for his street art, which attracts significant attention, his artistic legacy also includes paintings and sculpture.
These works in the style of street art remain, but thanks to some of them, he has become one of the most famous British artists in the world. Banksy's works often feature not only visual interpretation but also strong and provocative ideas, touching on themes such as war, capitalism, social control, and human rights.
The painting "Crude Oil" is an ironic parodic reflection of the work of Jack Vitriano "Dancer in the Balter", depicting a couple dancing on the beach, enjoying significant popularity in Great Britain. However, Banksy's version lacks the glamor: in the background, the ship sinks, disrupting the dance of the dancing couple.
