A new interpretation of art history, reconstructing masterpieces from prehistoric times to the present by the world phenomenon Banksy.

A world-class street artist Banksy that hides the identity.

It is actually a deep understanding of the history of art that illuminates unwavering mural paintings, improvised urban sculptures, and modified paintings that he has created as a painful comment on contemporary social issues. Through his dark and satirical lens of imagination, historical masterpieces that have been reinterpreted challengingly, will eventually be strengthened rather than losing their value and significance.

This book is a Japanese version of popular works published simultaneously in eight countries around the world by BBC Culture Columnist and Special Feature Reporter Kelly Grovier, a bestseller writer. He introduces and explores the iconic works of Banksy and masterpieces of numerous art history using powerful illustrations. 

Banksy doesn't borrow anything from art history.

He pushes art history against the wall and robbs it. For decades, Banksy has taken unmistakable masterpieces one after another into the dark alleys, and has stripped out the self-righteous and surface luster that had been cloudy on those crumbled surfaces as time passed. From Michelangelo's David Statue to Claude Monet's Water Lilies, the paintings and sculptures we've taken for a long time are not politely diverted by Banksy, but are simply impregnated or imitated in his irreverent murals, canvass, drawings and prints. They are abducted, sharpened, and pierced by us.

―From introduction