Mona Lisa

BLEK LE RAT – MONA LISA

The unique work by Blek le Rat, Mona Lisa is a mixed-media screenprint on canvas, signed in original by the artist.

This work, measuring 65 x 92 cm, is a reproduction of the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, highlighting how, in his works, Blek le Rat continually draws inspiration from the great masters of art history.

The artist Blek le Rat is considered the father of the stencil technique and among the pioneers of Street Art, so much so that many later artists, Banksy among them, took inspiration from his teaching.

In the lower portion of the composition, the street artist Blek le Rat has painted a spray can, topped by a red mark made with spray paint.

BLEK LE RAT, MONA LISA: PRICES AND VALUATIONS

If you are interested in the work Mona Lisa by Blek le Rat and would like to know its price, click on “SHOW PRICE” and you will shortly receive all the information by email.

Do not hesitate to contact us to learn more about the art of Blek le Rat, works, prices and valuations.

Blek le Rat - Mona Lisa - 2014 - Screenprint and mixed media on canvas - 65x92 cm

Blek le Rat: Art, Works and Biography of the graffiti artist

Blek le Rat, graffiti artist born in France, is considered one of the pioneers of international street art as well as the "father of Stencil Graffiti". He is still one of the most famous and requested street artists on the market and has a strong influence on the younger generations of street artists, Banksy in primis.

Blek le Rat (Xavier Prou his first name) was born in 1951 in Paris in the Boulogne-Billancourt neighbourhood and in the French capital he began his artistic career in 1981. Under the pseudonym "Blek le Rat", inspired by the Italian comic book "Blec le Roc", he began to paint rats on the walls of the streets of Paris, using the stencil technique.

Defined by the artist as "the only free animal in the city" and one which "spreads the plague everywhere, just like street art", the rat is the icon of Blek le Rat. "Rat" is also an anagram of "Art", a direct juxtaposition of the animal to Street Art.

Blek le Rat is initially influenced by the first works of urban art seen in New York during a trip in 1971. During the eighties, he made in Paris several interventions collaborating with other French street artists. Blek le Rat works anonymous until 1991, when he is arrested (and identified) by the French authorities while stencilling a replica of Caravaggio's Madonna and Child.

Rats are not the only subjects in the works by Blek le Rat. Artworks like the famous stencil by Blek le Rat David and the Madonna and Child draw inspiration from classical art: reinterpreting well-known masterpieces of Western culture, Blek le Rat often depicts this subjects sending strong and socially committed messages.

Blek le Rat art has been exhibited in exhibitions all over the world. From the first solo exhibition in U.K. in 2003 at the Leonard Street Gallery, to the debut in the United States with an exhibition in 2008 at the Subliminal Projects Gallery in Los Angeles: despite the success, the artist has not given up urban interventions and has always supported the potential of street art to be seen by as many people as possible even outside of museums and galleries.

Blek le Rat: Stencil Art and Graffiti

Often associated with Banksy, the stencil technique came to prominence in the art world a few decades earlier and it was thanks to Blek le Rat. Stencil and Street Art merge in the French artist, who uses this technique at such point of being considered the "father of Stencil Graffiti".

“Stencil Graffiti" is a form of graffiti that makes use of stencils made out of paper, cardboard, or other materials to create an image or text that is easily reproducible.

With the Stencil, Blek le Rat made the first rats on the walls of Paris streets and for almost all his artistic career he uses this technique to shape his unmistakable works. The artist stated that he chose this technique because he didn't want to imitate New York graffiti: Blek le Rat wanted to find a unique form of expression that fits the urban environment of Paris and Europe in general. In addition, the stencil minimizes the time it takes to create a work and allows the same image to be reproduced multiple times.

Banksy vs Blek le Rat

There is no doubt about the huge influence that Blek le Rat has had on subsequent generations of street artists and in particular on Banksy, the anonymous street artist from Bristol who is one of the most popular and sought-after artists in the world. Banksy vs Blek le Rat: the comparison arises spontaneously. But what is the relationship between the two street artists?

The stencil technique is one of the greatest legacies left by Blek le Rat: Banksy makes this technique his own and it is with stencils that he creates his most iconic works. But Banksy is also inspired by Blek le Rat in the choice of subjects for some of his works. This is the case of the series Placard Rat: a cycle of Banksy’s works that represent rats holding placards with messages with strong social and political meaning.

Banksy repeatedly expressed his admiration for the French artist and he declared that "every time I think I've painted something slightly original, I find out that Blek le Rat has done it as well. Only twenty years earlier". Blek le Rat also expressed appreciation for Banksy and denied plagiarism accusations, stating that "I’m the old man, he’s the new kid, and if I’m an inspiration to an artist that good, I love it".

Blek le Rat: Works for sale at Deodato Arte Group galleries (Deodato Arte and Wunderkammern)

For all Blek le Rat lovers, Deodato Arte Group offers an exclusive selection of works by the street artist, signed in original and provided with certificate of authenticity.

To know more about Blek le Rat works exhibited at the Deodato Arte Contemporary Art Gallery and to receive photos and information contact us by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

The artwork is delicate and requires a custom-made wooden box to protect it during transportation. Delivery to EU countries takes 1 to 3 weeks from the time of order.

For deliveries outside the EU there may be a clearance delay at customs. Contact [email protected] to receive an estimate of possible customs delays.

The shipping cost is calculated before payment. The cost of the box and packaging is included in the shipping cost.

For more information, please visit our Shipping Methods, Returns and Refunds page.

We are happy that you decided to buy an artwork. We'll explain how to do it, but always remember that you can also buy via email ([email protected]), by phone (+39 02.80886294) or by physically coming to one of our galleries.

PRICE

If the price is visible in the product fiche you can click "ADD TO CART" and proceed autonomously choosing later how to pay and how you like shipping (or pick-up it in one of our store).

If the price is not visible, you must press the "SHOW PRICE" button, so you will receive an email with the price and a button, "DON'T LOOSE IT, BUY NOW": if the price is right for you click on this button and you will be sent back to the site to complete the purchase.

TAX

if you LIVE IN EU

If you live in Europe (CEE) the price we show you already includes taxes. The works are taxed either with VAT exposed (5%) or VAT with the margin, if you are a private person you do not change anything, if you are a company: in In the first case, you will recover the VAT, in the second, no. When you put the works in the cart you will be separated from the vat exposed.

If you DON'T LIVE IN EU and you want an EXTRA EU shipping

Many works (not all) have an exposed VAT of 5% included in the price, this vat will be spun off! Obviously you will pay the VAT to your destination country, if due. For example if you live in Switzerland you save 5% but you will have to pay 8.1% to your customs, if you live in Hong Kong you will save 5% and you will not have to pay anything to your customs (lucky you).

SHIPPING

Shipments are insured, check the product fiche for more information, or write to [email protected]. For works in stock the delivery time for Italy is three working days, before placing your order please contact us via email ([email protected]) or by phone (+39 02.80886294) to check availability. 

PAYMENT

If you complete the purchase on the site you can use a credit card, or you can make a bank transfer. Payment in cash is accepted up to 5,000 euros physically in one of our stores. Payments in BitCoin or cryptocurrencies are NOT accepted.