How Banksy Saved Art History [Hardcover]

A new take on the history ofart through the eyes of theinternational phenomenonthat is Banksy. An admiring survey of artist Banksy's provocative dialogues with some of history's most famous paintings, sculptures, and murals. . . [Grovier's] conceit, which features side-by-side reproductions of the works discussed, is effective . . . A captivating . . . celebration of an enigmatic artist. Cultural critic Grovier sets out to unravel Banksy's work and to understand how and why he has risen out of the morass of underground art. The key . . . is Banksy's deep understanding of the history of European art, coupled with his willingness to reference and parody some of its most famous pieces . . . Grovier does a good job of providing context, and readers who are familiar with Banksy's work will become aware of an extra dimension. Those who have only heard of Banksy's name may be pleasantly surprised to find that there is more to him than meets the eye . . . Thought-provoking images and insightful text delve into the humor, awareness, and resonance of Banksy's work.