Maurizio Cattelan’s infamous banana, which captivated the art world in December 2019 during its debut at Art Basel Miami Beach, is set to be auctioned by Sotheby’s on November 20. The artwork will make its way to the auction block after the conclusion of its traveling exhibit, which begins today, October 28, in New York. The iconic artwork, featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, is predicted to draw bids between INR 8.40 crore ($1 million) and INR 12.61 crore ($1.5 million) in an upcoming auction. The current piece, certified to three owners, previously sold for a surprising INR 1 crore ($120,000)—especially considering that the purchase included only a guideline for replacing the banana and a certificate of authenticity.
This isn’t the first time Maurizio Cattelan has made waves with his unique approach to art, blending humor with sharp social commentary in often controversial ways. Known for his persistent effort to challenge societal norms and provoke thought, Cattelan frequently expresses his artistic vision through a comedic yet critical lens, questioning value, meaning, and perception in the art world. His bold style has also seen remarkable success at auction; in 2016, his piece Him, a sculpture of Adolf Hitler in a kneeling position, set an auction record for the artist, selling for INR 144.61 crore ($17.2 million). With each piece, Cattelan continues to push the boundaries of conventional art, making statements that both amuse and unsettle his audiences.
Comedian is set to tour major art capitals around the world, including New York, London, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, Dubai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Los Angeles, before returning to New York for auction. This highly anticipated journey builds upon its reputation as a humorous yet provocative piece, which Cattelan himself describes as a “self-portrait” intended to challenge the audience’s perception of art through the power of irony. In 2021, Cattelan reflected on the impact of his work in an interview with The Art Newspaper, stating, “When art makes us feel something and puts us in a position of discomfort, that’s when it has an impact.”
After being eaten twice and taken down from its exhibit due to the overwhelming crowd response, its journey has only grown more extraordinary. The piece which is sold for INR 1 crore ($120,000) to three owners, including the prestigious Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, where it is presented under the title All, has left us to question where the boundaries of art are headed and, ultimately, what art truly is.
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