Share on twitter
Share on facebook
Share on pinterest
Share on email

Love Rat, 2004

BY

Love Rat, 2004
Editions: 150 signed, 600 unsigned

‘First in the Banksy rat pack series, a trademark virulent pest with a heavy romantic garnish. Ideal gift for a cheating spouse.
What part of no don’t you understand?’

Love Rat is executed in Banksy’s signature monochromatic stencil style, shown brandishing a large paint brush in his paws. The rat has seemingly just finished painting the outline of a bright red heart on a wall, providing the only touch of color to the print. At first glance, one thinks this act is intended to spread love. However, the blood-red paint drip painting implies that the heart is in fact bleeding, reminding us of love’s potential to induce pain and suffering as well as joy and pleasure. Indeed, Banksy promoted the release of this first of his 2004 rat prints as an ideal gift for a “cheating spouse”.

Rats are one of Banksy’s greatest sources of inspiration and one of the most prolific subjects in his work. An anagram of “ART”, the rat is an allegorical tool used by Banksy to reveal the vices and flaws of the human race. The symbol of the rat is also closely associated with Banksy himself. Hunted down by the authorities, rats, like graffiti artists, tend to appear by night under the cover of darkness, and considered by much of society to be a pest (at least up to a few years ago…). By giving the figure of the rat a voice Banksy is speaking for those oppressed and defeated by the endless competition and consumerism of late capitalism.

Love Rat, 2003
Stencil spray-paint on wooden palette
60×50 cm (23 5/8 x 19 11/16 inches)
Banksy’s appreciation for rats is often attributed to French stencil artist Blek le Rat, who is widely considered to be the father of stencil graffiti and is famous for introducing urban art to France in the 80’s, some 20 years before Banksy..
Love Rat was released by Pictures on Walls for GBP 74.99 for an unsigned print.

DESCRIPTION


Love Rat

Year: 2004
Medium: Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Size: 50×35 cm (19 1/2 x 13 5/8 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls

Editions

Signed Edition: 150
Unsigned Edition: 600


AUCTION RESULTS


Updated as of 15 March 2023

 

 

1. Love Rat (unsigned)

 

 

LA Modern: 12 October 2023
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 18,900

BANKSY
Love Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 77/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Christie’s online: 21 September 2022
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 32,760 / USD 39, 312

Love Rat (unsigned), 2004
Numbered 136/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
GBP 40,320 / USD 50,803

Love Rat (unsigned), 2004
Numbered 359/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Christie’s online: 15 March 2022
GBP 69,300 / USD 91,476

Love Rat (unsigned), 2004
Numbered 556/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Bonhams London: 22 September 2021
GBP 37,750 / USD 52,473

Love Rat (unsigned), 2004
Numbered 201/600 DN in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Love Rat (unsigned), 2004
Numbered 203/600 DN in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
GBP 40,320 / USD 56,045
Love Rat (unsigned), 2004
Numbered 24/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021
GBP 63,000 / USD 87,570

2. Love Rat (signed)

Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 50,400 / USD 60,480

Love Rat (signed), 2004
Signed and dated ‘2005’ in pencil, lower right
Numbered 74/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
GBP 88,200 / USD 111,132
Love Rat (signed), 2004
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 82/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Love Rat (signed), 2004
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 90/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Phillips London: 14 June 2021
GBP 94,500 / USD 134,190
Love Rat (signed), 2004
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered from the Signed Edition of 150
Tate Ward Auctions: 9 December 2020
GBP 137,500 / USD 194,250