The artwork appeared in Windsor near Army barracks (Picture: w8media)
Do you think you could spot a fake piece of art from the real thing?
Well, the ‘Banksy’ artwork that had people baffled after it mysteriously appeared in Windsor has turned out to be a ‘copycat’.
The graffiti-style piece, which depicts a British soldier wearing the iconic grey tunic and bearskin cap, synonymous with the troops who guard the Royal Family, was spotted on Arthur Road, around the corner from Army barracks in Windsor, this week.
The soldier, standing next to the print message ‘God Save the King’, is holding a can of spray paint.
He has graffitied ‘dom’ on the end of the word ‘King’.
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The piece took social media by storm – leaving many wondering whether it was the work of the world-famous, yet anonymous, street artist Banksy.
Before versus after the artwork appeared (Picture: Shutterstock/Google Maps)
Its appearance came as it was reported that the former prince, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, allegedly told Ghislaine Maxwell ‘I can’t take any more of this’ after questions over his alleged sex party with then 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre emerged, according to a raft of new emails involving Jeffrey Epstein.
How it compares with Banksy’s work
Metro asked experts to compare the mysterious soldier with Banksy’s previous art.
Madeleine White, who works in sales and acquisitions at Hang-Up Gallery, near Islington in north London, said the work resembles the satire and political messaging often found in his work.
She told Metro: ‘Banksy provides comment on authority and power structures, whether it be the Government or Royal Family, through his art.
‘It could be interpreted that this work is criticising the King in relation to [the former prince] Andrew.
‘Banksy likes to represent the working class, the everyday man, so the soldier using the graffiti can method could be a symbol of resistance and more affordable means to create art.’
Madeleine added that the artist’s use of lyrics from the national anthem is symbolic of their criticism of the monarchy – that they could be mocking the lyrics, which ask for the King to be saved.
The location could also be telling of the meaning, she said. The art appeared opposite King Edward Court in Windsor.
But why a soldier? Madeline said the choice depicts an ‘image of resistance, rebellion, rising up against the royals’.
This criticism of the monarchy, she added, is consistent with the work Banksy has produced throughout his career in challenging authority.
The artwork took social media by storm (Picture: w8media)
‘It’s Banksy-esque but there are a lot of copycats out there,’ the expert said.
Acoris Andipa, director of Andipa art gallery, near Knightsbridge in central London, said: ‘It’s intriguing but I’m not entirely convinced. There are elements that are his and not his.
‘It’s not his usual font. I know his writing but the way “dom” is written is not his usual writing.’
Acoris said a key difference between this piece and Banksy’s work is that it’s missing the usual characteristics of his art.
The expert told Metro it has no ‘clear message’ and that he ‘struggled to see wit’ – which he said was characteristic of Banksy.
Acoris added that it’s also unclear what ‘dom’ means in the context of the piece.
‘Does it mean dominance, domiciles?’ he asked, or something else?
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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