Europe 1 / Photo credit: MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP 5:00 p.m., March 11, 2024

Two art collectors take legal action against Pest Control, the company created by Bansky.

The latter refuses to authenticate the work “Monkey Queen”, attributed to the street artist.

If a trial is initiated, Bansky could be forced to reveal his identity.

Known worldwide for his street art works scattered on walls around the world, the true identity of street artist Banksy remains a mystery.

But the artist may be forced to reveal his identity due to possible legal action.

Indeed, as revealed by the English media 

The Guardian

, two art collectors have initiated legal action against the artist.

At issue: a painting of Queen Elizabeth II represented as a primate and entitled “Monkey Queen”, which they wish to authenticate.

The two collectors, Nicky Katz and Ray Howse, attacked Pest Control, the company created by the graffiti artist, which has refused for three years to confirm the authenticity of the work.

The company is being sued for “breach of contract”.

A work which would be worth between 55,000 and 70,000 pounds

The work “Monkey Queen” subverts one of the most famous portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.

The sovereign is represented as a black and white monkey, with her crown and jewelry.

This painting is part of a series of 750 works: 150 were signed by the artist, and 500 others were not.

Problem: when the works are not signed, they cannot be clearly authenticated either.

In this case, either Bansky recognizes the legitimacy of a work by posting a photo on its Instagram account or its website, or it instructs the Pest Control company to authenticate them.

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Nicky Katz and Ray Howse explain that they acquired the work in 2020 for the sum of 30,000 pounds.

If authenticated, "Monkey Queen" could be resold for between 55,000 and 70,000 pounds, according to Katz.

For its part, the Pest Control company defended itself by asserting: “our authentication process is solid and thorough, and sometimes lengthy. We have already issued several thousand certificates of authenticity.”

In the event that there is a trial, it remains to be seen whether Bansky would be present, thereby revealing his identity.

Many speculations circulate about the true identity of the artist, and several hypotheses are put forward, without any of them being successful.