Morons

Medium: Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Year: 2006
Sheet: 56×76 cm (22×30 inches)
Editions:
Morons: 150 signed, 500 unsigned
Morons (Sepia): 300 signed
Morons (LA Edition): 500 unsigned (100 printed)
Artist’s Proofs:
Morons (Grey VIP): 30 signed AP
Publisher: Pictures on Walls

Morons (Sepia), 2007
Edition: 300 signed
Showing an auctioneer conducting a sale to a room packed with bidders, Morons is based on the historical moment when Van Gogh’s Sunflowers achieved a hammer price of GBP 22.5 million at Christie’s on 30 March 1987, setting the record price for any work of art at auction.
 
This moment marked the beginning of changes in the art market, with the emergence of mega lots achieving record prices. In the present work, the large canvas being auctioned humorously bears the words, in block capitals
 
‘I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU MORONS ACTUALLY BUY THIS SHIT’
Banksy mocks the crowd, representing art collectors in general, who are ready to bid huge sums of money in order to acquire artworks. Some even doing so just to speculate and resell at higher prices, transforming the art market almost like a commodity trading market.
Morons (Grey VIP), 2007
Ironically, Banksy is now one also the subject of intense bidding from art collectors willing to purchase his works for very high prices. Obviously, Banksy’s relationship with the art market is complicated and nuanced, just like his relationship with law enforcement, which is precisely why he is so successful. The artist has expressed similarly critical opinions of the art world’s commercialism through public pranks such as the famous stunt he pulled in 2008 at Sotheby’s auction of Girl with Balloon. Immediately after the hammer struck down at a record price, a shredder that Banksy built into the frame itself was triggered, causing the art to immediately begin being shredded to the shock and horror of the art world. The painting has since been renamed Love is in the Bin and has unquestionably increased substantially in value after it got partially shredded publicly. The irony never ends with Banksy.

Morons (LA Edition), with a golden frame

Morons is one of six prints belonging to the Barely Legal Print Set, which also includes Grannies, Trolleys, Applause, Sale Ends and Festival. Morons was originally released at Barely Legal as an edition of 100 unsigned prints, printed by Modern Multiples, that sold for $500 a piece. In 2007, Banksy’s UK-based printer Pictures of Walls re-released different versions of the Morons print: 300 signed prints on a sepia background, as well as black and white editions of 500 unsigned and 150 signed prints.

 

 

Auction Market Overview

Morons (unsigned)

2025 Sold Once
Selling Price: GBP 24,130 (USD 29,810) @ Phillips London on 23 January 2025
2024 Sold 4 Times
Average Price: GBP 20,273 (USD 26,036)
Top Price: USD 33,600 (GBP 26,250) @ Sotheby’s New-York on 22 October 2024
2023 Sold 3 Times
Average Price: GBP 24,160 (USD 29,840)
Top Price: GBP 25,400 (USD 31,169) @ Sotheby’s online on 20 April 2023
2022 Sold 5 Times
Average Price: GBP 31,857 (USD 40,033)
Top Price: USD 50,400 (GBP 40,000) @ Phillips New-York on 21 April 2022
2021 Sold 4 Times
Average Price: GBP 44,898 (USD 62,289)
Record Auction Price: GBP 48,240 (USD 67,054) @ Forum Auctions on 2 September 2021

Morons (signed)

2025 Sold Once
Selling Price: USD 38,100 (GBP 29,560) @ Sotheby’s New-York on 28 February 2025
2024 Sold Once
Selling Price: GBP 33,600 (USD 44,722) @ Sotheby’s online on 26 September 2024
2023 Sold Once
Selling Price: GBP 43,550 (USD 53,858) @ Forum Auctions on 24 May 2023
2022 Sold 3 Times
Average Price: GBP 76,867 (USD 96,115)
Top Price: GBP 81,900 (USD 103,194) @ Sotheby’s online on 26 April 2022
2021 Sold 4 Times
Average Price: GBP 86,047 (USD 117,910)
Record Auction Price: NZD 255,860 (USD 180,070 / GBP 130,485)
@ International Art Center (NZ) on 30 March 2021

 

Morons (unsigned)

2025 Auction Results

Phillips London: 23 January 2025
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 24,130 / USD 29,810

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 paper
Numbered 445/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2024 Auction Results

Tate Ward Auctions: 11 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 15,000 / USD 19,500

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches paper
Numbered 44/500 in pencil

Sotheby’s New-York: 22 October 2024
Estimated: USD 18,000 – 24,000
USD 33,600

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 357/500 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Tate Ward: 18 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 13,000 – 15,000
GBP 16,800 / USD 21,823

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screen print in colors on Arches paper
Numbered from an edition of 500 in pencil

Bonhams online: 20 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 23,040 / USD 29,220
BANKSY (born 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint in colors
Numbered 284/500 in pencil

2023 Auction Results

Sotheby’s London: 26 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 24,130 / USD 29,351

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered in pencil 308/500

Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 25,400 / USD 31,619
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR MORONS (UNSIGNED) IN 2023

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 161/500 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Bonhams London: 19 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 22,950 / USD 28,551

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 346/500 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

2022 Auction Results

 

Bonhams London: 7 December 2022
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 25,500 / USD 31,093

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 346/500 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Heritage Auctions: 28 November 2022
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 35,000

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 paper
Numbered 427/500 in pencil lower left, with publisher’s stamp

Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 30,240 / USD 36,288

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 393/500 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Phillips New-York: 21 April 2022
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 50,400
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR MORONS (UNSIGNED) IN 2022

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 paper
Numbered 218/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2021 Auction Results

Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 47,880 / USD 66,553

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 304/500, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Forum Auctions: 2 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 28,000 – 35,000
GBP 48,240 / USD 67,054
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR MORONS (UNSIGNED)

BANKSY (b.1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 500 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp at lower left

Heritage Auctions: 22 April 2021
Estimated: USD 35,000 – 45,000
USD 50,000

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 paper
Numbered 341/500  in pencil lower left, with publisher’s stamp

Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 47,500 / USD 65,550

BANKSY (B. 1974)
Morons (White) (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 194/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

 

Morons (signed)

2025 Auction Results

Sotheby’s New-York: 28 February 2025
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 38,100 / GBP 29,560

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 wove paper
Signed in pencil and dated 07 (lower right)
Numbered 97/150 (lower left) with the publisher’s blindstamp

2024 Auction Results

Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 33,600 / USD 44,722

BANKSY (b.1974)
Morons (signed), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil and numbered 55/150 with the publisher’s blindstamp

2023 Auction Results

Forum Auctions: 24 May 2023
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
GBP 32,500 (HAMMER)
GBP 43,550 / USD 53,858

BANKSY
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, with the printed signature circled by the artist
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 150

2022 Auction Results


Sotheby’s online, 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 81,900 / USD 103,194
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR MORONS (SIGNED) IN 2022

BANKSY
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil within the image
Numbered 142/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s New-York, 21 April 2022
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 94,500

BANKSY
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 97/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

 

2021 Auction Results

Tate Ward Auctions: 7 December 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 50,000
GBP 65,000 / USD 87,100

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches paper
Signed, dated and numbered from an edition of 150 in pencil

Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 75,000 / USD 103,500

BANKSY (B. 1974)
Morons (White) (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered 103/150, with the publisher’s blindstamp

International Art Center: 30 March 2021
Estimated: NZD 100,000 – 150,000
NZD 213,000 (HAMMER)
NZD 255,860 / USD 180,070 / GBP 130,490
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR MORONS (SIGNED)

BANKSY
Morons (Black and white) (signed), 2007
Screenprint on wove paper
Signed and numbered 101/150

Forum Auctions: 27 January 2021
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 73,700 / USD 100,969

BANKSY (b.1974)
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered from the edition of 150 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Morons (LA Edition)

 

Christie’s online: 1 April 2025
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 20,160 / USD 26,047

BANKSY
Morons (LA Edition) (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 105/500 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150)

LA Modern: 10 October 2024
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 20,000
USD 20,160

BANKSY (b.1975)
Morons (LA Edition) (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88
Numbered to lower edge ‘111/500’ with the publisher’s blindstamp

LA Modern: 7 September 2023
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 17,640

BANKSY
Morons (LA Edition), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88
Numbered to lower right ‘105/500’
This work is number 105 from the edition of 500 published by Modern Multiples Fine Art Editions, Los Angeles

Christie’s online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 22,680 / USD 27,896

BANKSY
Morons (LA Edition), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 76/500 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150)

Christie’s online: 21 July 2022
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 52,920

BANKSY
Morons (LA Edition), 2006-2007
Screenprint in colors, on Arches 88 paper
Signed, dated and numbered ’32/150 BANKSY 06′ in pencil

Sotheby’s New-York: 18 December 2020
Estimated: USD 12,000 – 18,000
USD 107,100
 AUCTION RECORD FOR MORONS (LA EDITION)

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons( LA Edition), 2006
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 120/500

Morons (Sepia)

2025 Auction Results

Phillips London: 5 June 2025
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 29,210 / USD 39,435
BANKSY
Morons (Sepia), 2008
Screenprint in colors on Somerset paper
Signed, dated and numbered 180/300 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2024 Auction Results

Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 36,000 / USD 47,915

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 86/300, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Christie’s online: 26 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 55,000
GBP 56,700 / USD 71,910

BANKSY
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed and numbered 273/300 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

Bonhams LA: 26 March 2024
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 35,840 / GBP 45,454

BANKSY (born 1974)
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset paper
Signed in pencil and numbered 45/300, with the blindstamp of the publisher

2023 Auction Results

Morons (Sepia) only sold once at auction in 2023, at Christie’s online on 26 September 2023 for GBP 44,100 (USD 53,892).

Christie’s online: 28 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 44,100 / USD 53,892

BANKSY
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed and numbered 142/300 in pencil

2022 Auction Results

Morons (Sepia) sold 4 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 334,973 (USD 417,523) at an average price of GBP 83,743 (USD 104,381). It sold for its highest price in 2022 of GBP 100,800 (USD 120,960) at Sotheby’s online on 17 August 2022.

2022 Auction Results


Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 100,800 / USD 120,960
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR MORONS (SEPIA) IN 2022

BANKSY
Morons Sepia, 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil
Numbered 220/300 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Christie’s online: 15 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 81,900 / USD 108,108
BANKSY
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
A print aside from the numbered edition of 300
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed with an M in a circle, a peace sign, and a heart in pencil, lower left

2021 Auction Results

Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 107,100 / USD 148,869
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR MORONS (SEPIA)

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons Sepia, 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated, numbered 39/300, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Tate Ward Auctions: 24 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 50,000
GBP 80,000 / USD 111,200

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered from an edition of 300

Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 50,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 105,084

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated, numbered 175/300, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Heritage Auctions: 10 February 2021
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 70,000
USD 112,500

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset paper
Signed, numbered 141/300, and dated in pencil along lower edge