A painting by the renowned street artist Banksy has been sold at Sotheby’s in London for nearly £4.3 million (approximately €5.2 million). The artwork, titled Crude Oil (Vettriano)—also known as Toxic Beach—is a reinterpretation of The Singing Butler by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano, whose passing was announced just a day before the auction.
A Dark Twist on a Classic Painting
Vettriano’s original 1992 painting depicts a couple dancing on a beach while a butler and a maid hold umbrellas for them. However, Banksy’s version takes a starkly different approach. Instead of the maid, the painting features two men in hazmat suits handling a barrel of toxic waste, while an oil tanker sinks in the background.
The Crude Oil (Vettriano) piece belonged to Mark Hoppus, co-founder of the punk band Blink-182. Hoppus and his wife purchased the painting in 2011, and it had been a prominent part of their home ever since.
“Undeniably Banksy, But Different”
Reflecting on the artwork, Hoppus shared his admiration for the piece: “We fell in love with this painting the moment we saw it. It’s undeniably Banksy, but different.” He described it as an extraordinary part of his family’s life for years.
The auction proceeds have already been allocated, though specific details were not disclosed.
