Top 10 of Banksy's most beautiful works in Paris
Are you curious to know which are the most beautiful Banksy works in Paris? Are you a fan of the famous British street artist?
In this article, we've deciphered many of the mysteries that still surround him over the years. From installations and illegal stencil work in the streets to more academic pieces, Banksy is an artist committed to all aspects of his work. It's quite difficult to limit ourselves to just ten pieces to capture the diversity and richness of his oeuvre, as it is so vast. To discoverall of his artistic creations , you can consult our top 50 list of Banksy's best works.
This ranking, however, attempts to take a comprehensive look at the approach of the street art star and its impact on modern or contemporary art .
By the end of this article, Banksy's works will hold no more secrets for you; you'll know exactly everything about his art and the most significant achievements of his career in Paris. Let's explore his art together!
Banksy and his tribute on the door of the Bataclan
While in Paris in June 2018, Banksy took the opportunity to create this magnificent artwork in tribute to those who died in the November 13, 2015 terrorist attacks at the Bataclan. He specifically chose one of the nightclub's emergency exits, which had allowed several hostages to escape, and painted the portrait of a little girl with a hood over her head, her expression one of sadness. Like many of the street artist's other works, this stencil was unfortunately stolen six months later, and it wasn't until early June 2019 that it was recovered in Italy.
Banksy Reinterprets Napoleon on the Walls of Paris
Appearing on June 27, 2018, this stencil depicts a rebellious horse and its rider wrapped in red cloth. At the time, and even today, many people saw this work as a magnificent nod to the painting by the famous artist Jacques-Louis Davis … a painting in which Napoleon Bonaparte, in all his majesty, crosses the Great St. Bernard Pass. But this time, the man is shown in a less triumphant or flamboyant pose.
In a sort of messianic vein, some observers even see in it a symbolic and resounding reflection of these blinded and warmongering leaders, using the fallacious pretext of their attire as an argument for their wrath. It can be seen at 41 Avenue de Flandre in the 19th arrondissement of Paris.
The pair of rats admiring the Eiffel Tower
Perched on the RER C bridge, a pair of rats admire the Eiffel Tower, a Banksy-signed artwork…
An adorable pair of rats can be seen on the riverbank, sporting 1920s-style hair: a parasol for the lady and a bowler hat for the elegant gentleman. The two are gazing passionately at the famous Eiffel Tower, far from the prying eyes of the immense crowd… This artwork is simply a splendid ode to love and the architectural treasures of Paris , the French capital.
The rat as a recurring motif is one of the subjects Banksy has explored for years. For him, the rat leads a freer existence and is, in a way, both the symbol of this class, subjected to persecution and rejected by all sides, but which nevertheless revolts to survive. Discover it without restraint on the Georges Pompidou Way on the Rouelle Bridge.
Banksy and the aborted Bonaparte quote
Originally, Banksy planned to paint this project on a wall in Paris. The Bonaparte quote, however, was intended to be less of a drawing than he envisioned. It states, among other things, that "in a revolution, there are two kinds of people: those who make it and those who profit from it." Nearby, a man, likely a journalist, can be seen offering passersby the chance to buy photos for €5.
According to some observers, this might be a pointed critique of media manipulation surrounding current events that should be more sensitive to public opinion. But what if it's not that? This quote also sounds like a message addressed to society, to all those who always want to profit from the efforts and sacrifices of others, appropriating the fruits of their labor to line their own pockets… and yes, this interpretation seems just as plausible. Otherwise, it's up to you to form your own opinion! What is certain, however, is that the message conveyed by this quote goes far beyond the political dimension one might initially attribute to it.
The dog and the man with the saw
Banksy is not an artist like any other... The dog whose leg is amputated by its own owner is a testament to the atypical imagination attributed to him. This exceptional work plunges the viewer into a kind of allegory of capitalism . In a sense, we see a man in a suit offering a bone to a dog that is none other than his own. But upon closer inspection, we realize that the animal no longer has all its legs, and that the man is concealing a saw behind its back.
This image is quite frightening; it tells the story of a man who, without a shred of remorse, eats the flesh of his pet, offering it only a few crumbs to feed itself… and the faithful companion, either too attached to its master or oblivious, expresses gratitude for this veiled affection! Horrifying and incredibly violent, this scene sends shivers down our spines and prompts us to reflect on the realities of our society . The artwork can be seen at 2 rue Victor Cousin.
The rat surfing on a champagne cork
Nestled at the foot of Montmartre, this stencil looks more like a cartoon. It depicts a rat perched on the cork of a Champagne bottle after it has been launched, the bottle itself remaining a few meters below. As is so often the case, the British artist once again invites the viewer's imagination to play a part. We can therefore freely indulge in the perspective of a rat who always manages to find something in the neighborhood to get up to. The artwork was created on Rue du Mont-Cenis in the 18th arrondissement .
The graffiti of the rebellious rat from 1968
Like mice that had remained silent until then, the French people took to the streets in May 1968, determined at all costs to make their voices heard. The revolution was underway, promising profound changes in French society… Ironically, however, this revolution was driven by a generation that had unfortunately drowned its youthful dreams in entertainment and leisure of all kinds.
Dressed as Minnie Mouse , and sporting a magnificent bow, the rat painted by Banksy here would be the hallucinating witness to such a downfall or subversion… or maybe not! See you at the Passage de la Main d'Or.
The vandalized little girl and the swastika
Anyone who has seen this other Banksy masterpiece in Paris will tell you how magnificent and inspiring it is. This stencil focuses on a little Black girl holding her teddy bear, which she then drops to pick up a spray can… a can she uses, among other things, to try and cover up the infamous swastika on a wall surrounded by pink motifs symbolizing Syria . This graffiti was discovered very close to the former Refugee First Reception Center at the time.
For those interested in the backstory, this artwork already existed, in a way, in the repertoire of street art enthusiasts . In 2009, Banksy presented a painting of a young boy holding a spray can at an exhibition at the Bristol Museum in England. The little girl turns blue after the graffiti is vandalized, sparking outrage against the Parisian artist responsible. While his desire to remove the swastika is understandable, by also attacking the portrait of the poor girl, he inflicted a second, unfortunate act of aggression upon her. You can admire it at 56 Boulevard Ney, Porte de la Chapelle.
Banksy's rat with a box cutter
An iconic rat has just taken the streets of Paris by storm. It was summer 2018. Armed with a box cutter, it was spotted by a crowd of passersby on the back of the sign marking the entrance to the Centre Pompidou's underground parking garage. And for them, this painting of the rat by the famous street artist is probably a powerful symbol of the fifty years that have passed since the Paris riots of 1968 , the birthplace of modern stencil art.
The graffiti was cut out and stolen in September 2019. And according to what we've heard, an individual, after being questioned by police following the theft, tried to justify his actions by claiming that Banksy himself had commissioned it. What a convenient excuse! The artwork is located at 36 rue Rambuteau, Paris, in the 3rd arrondissement.
In this article, we have presented 10 works by Banksy, present on French territory and more specifically, in our beloved capital, Paris.
See you soon.
The Lofty Trend Team.
