It had been a while since the faceless street artist made himself heard—specifically since this summer, when he turned the streets of London into a zoo. Now, Banksy is back—perhaps with his final piece for this year—and less than 10 days before Christmas, he returns with one of the most iconic Christian images of the season: the Madonna.
While the versions we studied in school by Michelangelo, Raphael, and many others are characterized by a tenderness that emphasizes the bond between mother and child, Banksy’s interpretation reflects a historical moment when it’s crucial to remember that not all mothers have the fortune to hold their children in their arms, and not all children have the chance to be held by their mothers. Using the urban landscape as his canvas, Banksy chose to create this work on a weathered wall—its location still unknown—where the Virgin’s breast aligns with a rusted hole in the wall.
For now, Banksy has only claimed authorship of the piece by sharing a glimpse of it on Instagram. No location or title has been provided yet, though many on Instagram have already begun drawing connections to the situation in Palestine.
