‘Laugh Now, but one day we’ll be in charge’
Laugh Now portrays a forlorn monkey, wearing a sandwich board suggesting that he is oppressed or enslaved. Along with the rat, the monkey is one of Banksy’s most frequently used animal characters, to satirize the nature of humankind. Laugh Now could well be a criticism of the way humans have been treating animals, our primate cousins, whether poaching or capturing them for entertainment, or medical testing. The ominous text on the board is both mocking and threatening, suggesting that the character is preparing an uprising, as if Banksy is warning of an imminent revolution. It is also the artist’s humorous take on Darwin’s theory of evolution.
107.5 x 604.5 cm (42 3/8 x 237 7/8 inches)
Rivington Street, London, 2002
Banksy’s history as a street artist and his efforts to conceal his identity make his artistic figures his only interactive surrogates. Bearing this in mind, the monkeys upon the panel not only assume an anarchistic quality—promising full revenge upon their rise to power—but also make for a fascinating study into the future of street art. And, as his exhibition spaces shift from urban alleyways to galleries, Banksy paints a fascinating commentary on the current state of contemporary art.
Even though no mural remains with this iconic stencil, Banksy realized many originals on various media using the Laugh Now stencil. Those command high prices at auction.
Laugh Now But One Day We’ll Be In Charge, 2000
Sotheby’s Hong-Kong: 18 June 2021
Estimated: HKD 6,200,000 – 9,300,000
HKD 17,720,000 / USD 2,280,000
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now But One Day We’ll Be In Charge, 2000
Acrylic and stencil spray-paint on canvas
61×61 cm (24×24 inches)
Stamped with the BANKSY tag
Christie’s London: 11 May 2021
GBP 1,460,000 / USD 2,070,000
Laugh Now But One Day We’ll Be In Charge, 2002
76×102 cm (30 x 41 1/8 inches)
DESCRIPTION
Laugh Now
Editions
Artist’s Proofs: 69 signed AP
AUCTION RESULTS
1. Laugh Now (unsigned)
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold three times at auction in 2024, at an average price of GBP 21,353 (USD 27,242). It sold for its highest price of 2024, at Rosebery’s on 23 April 2024 for GBP 26,240 (USD 32,800).
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold 7 times at auction in 2023 for a total turnover of GBP 280,159 (USD 345,724), at an average price of GBP 40,023 (USD 49,389). It sold for its highest price in 2023 at Phillips in London on 19 January 2023 for GBP 75,600 (USD 92,988).
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold 6 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 310,876 (USD 390,112) at an average price of GBP 51,813 (USD 65,019). It sold for its highest price of GBP 56,280 (USD 76,541) at Forum Auctions on 3 March 2022.
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold 7 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 406,540 (USD 560,931) at an average price of GBP 58,077 (USD 80,133). It sold for its highest price in 2021 of GBP 68,750 (USD 95,563) at Tate Ward Auctions on 24 March 2021.
The highest price ever paid at auction for Laugh Now (unsigned) was achieved at Phillips in Hong-Kong on 4 December 2020 when the edition 279/600 sold for HKD 882,000 (USD 113,647 / GBP 84,811).
2024 Auction Results
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold three times at auction in 2024, at an average price of GBP 21,353 (USD 27,242). It sold for its highest price of 2024, at Rosebery’s on 23 April 2024 for GBP 26,240 (USD 32,800).
Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 20,400 / USD 27,152
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 554/600 DN
Forum Auctions: 30 April 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 13,000 (HAMMER)
GBP 17,420 / USD 21,775
BANKSY (b.1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600
Rosebery’s London: 23 April 2024
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 15,000
GBP 26,240 / USD 32,800
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on paper
Numbered 493/600
2023 Auction Results
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold 7 times at auction in 2023 for a total turnover of GBP 280,159 (USD 345,724), at an average price of GBP 40,023 (USD 49,389). It sold for its highest price in 2023 at Phillips in London on 19 January 2023 for GBP 75,600 (USD 92,988).
LA Modern: 12 October 2023
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 22.789 / USD 27,720
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 281/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 31,750 / USD 38,620
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 406/600
Roseberys London: 5 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 20,800 / USD 26,166
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove
Numbered in pencil 302/600 DN in pencil
Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 50,800 / USD 63,238
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 546/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Christie’s online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 40,320 / USD 49,594
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003-2004
Numbered 457/600 in pencil, lower right
Phillips London: 23 January 2023
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 92,988
HIGHEST PRICE PAID AT AUCTION FOR LAUGH NOW (UNSIGNED) IN 2023
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 325/600 in pencil, lower right
2022 Auction Results
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold 6 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 310,876 (USD 390,112) at an average price of GBP 51,813 (USD 65,019). It sold for its highest price in 2022 of GBP 56,280 (USD 76,541) at Forum Auctions on 3 March 2022.
Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 24,000 – 35,000
GBP 37,800 / USD 45,360
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 172/600 in pencil, lower right
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered and inscribed 264/600 DN in pencil, lower right
Forum Auctions: 3 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 50,000
GBP 42,000 (Hammer)
GBP 56,280 / USD 76,541
HIGHEST PRICE PAID AT AUCTION FOR LAUGH NOW (UNSIGNED) IN 2022
BANKSY (b.1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600
2021 Auction Results
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold 7 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 406,540 (USD 560,931) at an average price of GBP 58,077 (USD 80,133). It sold for its highest price in 2021 of GBP 68,750 (USD 95,563) at Tate Ward Auctions on 24 March 2021.
2021 Auction Results
Tate Ward Auctions: 17 November 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 43,750 / USD 59,063
BANKSY (British 1974-)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil
Bonhams London: 11 November 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 60,250 / USD 81,338
Screenprint in colors
Numbered 341/600 in pencil
Tate Ward Auctions: 29 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 48,300 / USD 67,137
BANKSY (British 1974-)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil
Christie’s online: 23 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 56,250 / USD 78,188
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 468/600 in pencil
Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
GBP 56,700 / USD 78,813
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 522/600
Forum Auctions: 23 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 51,000 (Hammer)
GBP 68,340 / USD 94,993
BANKSY (b.1974)
Laugh Now (DN) (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Inscribed DN and numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil
Tate Ward Auctions: 24 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 68,750 / USD 95,563
HIGHEST PRICE PAID AT AUCTION FOR LAUGH NOW (UNSIGNED) IN 2021
Banksy (British 1974-)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil
2. Laugh Now (signed)
Laugh Now (signed) sold three times at auction in 2024, at an average price of GBP 55,883 (USD 71,172). It sold at its highest price of GBP 60,000 in 2024 at Sotheby’s online, on 26 September 2024.
Laugh Now (signed) sold three times at auction in 2023, at an average price of GBP 71,347 (USD 88,655). It sold twice at its highest price of GBP 76,200 in 2023.
Laugh Now (signed) sold twice at auction in 2022, at Sotheby’s online, on 17 August 2022, for GBP 75,600 (USD 90,720), and at SBI Art Auction in Tokyo, on 12 March 2022, for JPY 15,525,000 (USD 132,319 / GBP 100,242).
Laugh Now (signed) sold 7 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 941,200 (USD 1,315,114), at an average price of GBP 134,457 (USD 187,873). It sold at Bonhams in London, on 25 February 2021, for GBP 200,250 (USD 282,719), its world record price at auction.
2024 Auction Results
Laugh Now (signed) sold three times at auction in 2024, at an average price of GBP 55,883 (USD 71,172). It sold at its highest price of GBP 60,000 in 2024 at Sotheby’s online, on 26 September 2024.
Tate Ward Auctions: 11 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 51,250 / USD 66,625
BANKSY (British 1974-)
Laugh Now (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered 13/150 in pencil
Christie’s online: 1 October 2024
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 50,400 / USD 67,032
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, numbered 59/150 in pencil
Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 60,000 / USD 79,860
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in black ink, dated and numbered in pencil 31/150
2023 Auction Results
Laugh Now (signed) sold three times at auction in 2023, at an average price of GBP 71,347 (USD 88,655). It sold twice at its highest price of GBP 76,200 in 2023.
Sotheby’s London: 26 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 76,200 / USD 92,689
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in black ink, dated and numbered in pencil 45/150
Forum Auctions: 30 August 2023
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
HAMMER GBP 46,000
GBP 61,640 / USD 78,420
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 150
Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 76,200 / USD 94,857
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR LAUGH NOW (SIGNED) IN 2023
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed with a gift, heart and peace symbol, lower left
Aside from the signed and numbered edition of 150
2022 Auction Results
Laugh Now (signed) sold twice at auction in 2022, at Sotheby’s online, on 17 August 2022, for GBP 75,600 (USD 90,720), and at SBI Art Auction in Tokyo, on 12 March 2022, for JPY 15,525,000 (USD 132,319 / GBP 100,242).
Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 90,720
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed AP), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed AP/15 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
SBI Art Auction: 12 March 2022
Estimated: JPY 8,000,000 – 14,000,000
JPY 15,525,000 / USD 132,319 / GBP 100,242
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint
Signed, dated and numbered on the lower right
From the edition of 150
2021 Auction Results
Laugh Now (signed) sold 7 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 941,200 (USD 1,315,114), at an average price of GBP 134,457 (USD 187,873). It sold at Bonhams in London, on 25 February 2021, for GBP 200,250 (USD 282,719), its world record price at auction.
Christie’s online: 23 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 100,000 / USD 139,000
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2003-2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated 04 in black ink, numbered 122/150 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp
Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 100,800 / USD 140,112
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, inscribed ‘4 BRENDAN’ and with a peace symbol
Aside from the numbered edition of 150
Bonhams online: 29 June 2021
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000
GBP 100,250 / USD 138,661
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, numbered 85/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 90,000
GBP 151,200 / USD 214,704
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on buff wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, and numbered 56/150 in pencil
Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 120,000 – 180,000
GBP 137,500 / USD 189,750
BANKSY (B. 1974)
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 142/150, with the publisher’s blindstamp
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 151,200 / USD 214,704
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated, numbered 76/150
Bonhams London: 25 February 2021
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 200,250 / USD 282,719
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR LAUGH NOW (SIGNED)
Screenprint in colors on wove
Signed and dated in black ink, numbered ’86/150′ in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp
