Monkey Queen (Signed)
by Banksy
Year: 2003
Medium: Screenprint on paper
Size: 49.2 x 34.5 cm
Edition of 150
Signed, Numbered, and Dated by the Artist
With Pest Control Certificate
Banksy’s Monkey Queen (Signed) (2003) is a rare screenprint on paper measuring 49.2 × 34.5 cm, released in an edition of 150 and signed, numbered, and dated by the artist. Produced during his early formative period, the work subverts royal iconography through a provocative primate motif, reinforcing Banksy’s incisive critique of authority and cultural hierarchy. Its scarce signed status and Pest Control Certificate provide strong provenance, enhancing its appeal to discerning collectors.
Explore Monkey Queen unsigned screen print.
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Banksy’s Monkey Queen first appeared as a limited screen print in the early 2000s, a period when the artist was sharpening his critique of British institutions and national identity. The work was created in a studio setting rather than as a street mural, allowing Banksy to deliver a direct and highly stylized commentary on monarchy without relying on public-wall interventions.
The image reworks a traditional royal portrait by replacing Queen Elizabeth II with a chimpanzee. This deliberate transformation turns a symbol of authority into a provocative visual metaphor. The work explores themes of inherited power, class structure, and the performative nature of monarchy, while also questioning how public figures are constructed and perceived.
Primates appear throughout Banksy’s work as symbols of human behavior, often used to expose social hierarchies and contradictions. In Monkey Queen, this motif is applied to one of Britain’s most recognizable institutions, creating a bold and instantly readable critique of tradition and power.
For collectors, Monkey Queen is highly valued for its rarity, strong conceptual clarity, and controversial subject matter. Demand remains strong in the secondary market, supported by its iconic imagery and limited availability. Today, it stands as one of Banksy’s most recognizable political prints and a key work within his exploration of authority and cultural identity.
Banksy is a world-famous British street artist known for politically charged graffiti and an anonymous identity. Emerging from the Bristol underground scene in the 1990s, Banksy became a leading figure connecting street art, graffiti art, and contemporary art movements. His work combines satire, activism, and social commentary in ways that connect with both casual viewers and serious collectors.
Banksy’s iconic works, such as Girl with Balloon, Flower Thrower, and Love is in the Bin helped define his career and transformed street art into a respected part of the global art market. His visual style is instantly recognizable through stencil techniques, bold black-and-white contrasts, and sharp messages about war, consumerism, and inequality.
Banksy holds major market importance because his original works and authenticated prints regularly sell for millions at international auctions. Demand remains strong among collectors due to limited supply, global recognition, and cultural relevance.
Beyond the market, Banksy changed how people view public art. He brought graffiti into galleries, museums, and mainstream culture while keeping its rebellious spirit alive. From an investment perspective, Banksy is considered one of the strongest contemporary art names, with steady collector demand and long-term appeal across generations.
More Banksy Works to Explore
Monkey Queen (Signed)
by Banksy
Year: 2003
Medium: Screenprint on paper
Size: 49.2 x 34.5 cm
Edition of 150
Banksy’s Monkey Queen (Signed) (2003) is a rare screenprint on paper measuring 49.2 × 34.5 cm, released in an edition of 150 and signed, numbered, and dated by the artist. Produced during his early formative period, the work subverts royal iconography through a provocative primate motif, reinforcing Banksy’s incisive critique of authority and cultural hierarchy. Its scarce signed status and Pest Control Certificate provide strong provenance, enhancing its appeal to discerning collectors.
Explore Monkey Queen unsigned screen print.
Banksy’s Monkey Queen first appeared as a limited screen print in the early 2000s, a period when the artist was sharpening his critique of British institutions and national identity. The work was created in a studio setting rather than as a street mural, allowing Banksy to deliver a direct and highly stylized commentary on monarchy without relying on public-wall interventions.
The image reworks a traditional royal portrait by replacing Queen Elizabeth II with a chimpanzee. This deliberate transformation turns a symbol of authority into a provocative visual metaphor. The work explores themes of inherited power, class structure, and the performative nature of monarchy, while also questioning how public figures are constructed and perceived.
Primates appear throughout Banksy’s work as symbols of human behavior, often used to expose social hierarchies and contradictions. In Monkey Queen, this motif is applied to one of Britain’s most recognizable institutions, creating a bold and instantly readable critique of tradition and power.
For collectors, Monkey Queen is highly valued for its rarity, strong conceptual clarity, and controversial subject matter. Demand remains strong in the secondary market, supported by its iconic imagery and limited availability. Today, it stands as one of Banksy’s most recognizable political prints and a key work within his exploration of authority and cultural identity.
Banksy is a world-famous British street artist known for politically charged graffiti and an anonymous identity. Emerging from the Bristol underground scene in the 1990s, Banksy became a leading figure connecting street art, graffiti art, and contemporary art movements. His work combines satire, activism, and social commentary in ways that connect with both casual viewers and serious collectors.
Banksy’s iconic works, such as Girl with Balloon, Flower Thrower, and Love is in the Bin helped define his career and transformed street art into a respected part of the global art market. His visual style is instantly recognizable through stencil techniques, bold black-and-white contrasts, and sharp messages about war, consumerism, and inequality.
Banksy holds major market importance because his original works and authenticated prints regularly sell for millions at international auctions. Demand remains strong among collectors due to limited supply, global recognition, and cultural relevance.
Beyond the market, Banksy changed how people view public art. He brought graffiti into galleries, museums, and mainstream culture while keeping its rebellious spirit alive. From an investment perspective, Banksy is considered one of the strongest contemporary art names, with steady collector demand and long-term appeal across generations.