New piece of art that could be a Banksy spotted in Windsor

Do you think you could spot a fake piece of art from the real thing?

Well, this could be the perfect opportunity to put your keen eye for detail to the test after new ‘Banksy’ artwork has reportedly been spotted in Windsor.

A graffiti-style piece depicting a British soldier wearing the iconic grey tunic and bearskin cap, synonymous with the troops who guard the Royal Family, is understood to have appeared 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’.

The artwork has taken social media by storm – with Windsor residents particularly excited about the prospect of Banksy leaving his mark in their town.

It comes after 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.

Is this Banksy’s latest work? Here’s what experts say…

Metro spoke with experts to ask them whether Banksy could be the artist behind the new work.

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 Banksy’s art.

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 choose 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.

However, when asked by Metro whether this could in fact be Banksy’s doing, the expert said: ‘It’s unusual for him not to have already claimed it.

‘The fact that he hasn’t gives me a lot of pause. It’s extremely unusual as Banksy often claims his art quickly.

‘It’s Banksy-esque but there are a lot of copycats out there.’

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 he would be ‘surprised if it was’ Banksy’s work because 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?

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