Banksy’s Soup Cans are an extension of the artist’s notoriously sarcastic and ironic approach to art, and is consistent with Banksy’s anti-establishment, culture-critiquing style. The work is a pastiche of Andy Warhol’s 1960s Campbell’s Soup, an iconic emblem of twentieth-century American consumer culture, plucked from the supermarket shelf and placed on the pedestal of legitimized “high art”. Forty years later, Banksy appropriated the subject matter with a distinctly British twist, adopting Warhol’s democratic symbol and making it relevant to the contemporary moment. While Warhol’s works are instantly recognizable for their vibrant red branding, bold black outlines and enlarged compositions, Banksy replaces the stylized calligraphic “Campbell’s” branding with the “Tesco’s value” range. The pale blue palette and standardized writing add to the lack-luster appearance, and the cans are dwarfed by a bland beige background, uniform and small. Moreover, the label peels at the top right corner of each soup can, exposing the metal tin concealed underneath.

Before being released in various printed colourways, a painted acrylic version of Soup Cans was exhibited in Banksy’s now-fabled Crude Oils: A Gallery of Re-Mixed Masterpieces, Vandalism and Vermin exhibition in October 2005. The 12-day show was conceived as a temporary pop-up exhibition in an abandoned Westbourne Grove shop and was populated by 200 live rats scurrying around the featured works.

Tesco Value Soup Can, 2004

Sotheby’s London: 5 October 2017
Estimated: GBP 200,000 – 300,000
GBP 392,750

BANKSY
Tesco Value Soup Can, 2004
Oil on canvas
121.9 x 91.5 cm (48×36 inches)
Stencilled with the artist’s name on the overturn edge
Signed and dated 07/11/04 on the stretcher

Soup Cans was a focal point, exhibited amongst traditional oil on canvas works and sculptures purchased second-hand at flea markets before being manipulated by the artist. A Renaissance-inspired Virgin and Child listened to an iPod, and a knock-off classical Venus sculpture wore a traffic cone over her head while sporting full-body tattoos. Through this appropriation, Banksy underpins his central belief that art should be for the people; by hiding it in museums, we smother its potential to “change the world”. Therefore, his tactful balancing of destruction with creation provides a futile ground for a sardonic commentary seeking to undermine the bourgeoise nature of many of history’s iconic works of art.

Banksy’s vandalizing practice – whether on the streets, on paper, or on canvas – ultimately holds a rhetorical mirror on contemporary society; we are quick to condemn such disdainful acts yet fail to recognize the stifling nature of “high art” and the inequalities imposed by consumer culture. Depicting a single can of cream of tomato soup can with the familiar branding of the now defunct Tesco Value range, Banksy’s Soup Can is an obvious nod to Andy Warhol’s famous 1962 series of Campbell’s Soup Can paintings and prints.

Contrary to Warhol’s homage to the endlessly reproduced images of consumer society, here Banksy offers a biting criticism of the supermarket giant who has come to take over the contemporary marketplace. Printed in three colors on a cream background the print evokes the vintage aesthetic that is now called upon by supermarkets such as Tesco to sell British products. Here Banksy denounces the omnipresence of the Tesco supermarkets, with their openly stated desire to establish even more stores in the country and to rival small independent greengrocers. Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans are perhaps the most well-known and iconic images from American modern art. Initially created as a series of 32 canvases in 1962, the soup cans gained international acclaim as a breakthrough in Pop Art. When the paintings were first exhibited, they were displayed together like products at a grocery store.
Each Soup Can corresponds to a different flavor and resembles the actual image of the red and white Campbell’s Soup Cans. Though they appeared identical to the well-known grocery items, the artist’s handiwork is made obvious through the slight variations in the lettering and in the hand-stamped fleur-de-lis symbols on the bottom of each can. This juxtaposition between pure replication and the artist’s hand makes the series all the more intriguing.

 

Soup Can

Soup Can

Medium: Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Year: 2005
Sheet: 50×35 cm (19 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches)
Editions:
Soup Can (Original): 250 unsigned, 50 signed
28 Colorways: 10 signed each
There is a total of 280 colorways for Soup Can
Publisher: Pictures on Walls, London

Four Soup Cans (Gold on Cream)

Four Soup Cans

Medium: Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Year: 2006
Sheet: 70×50 cm (27 1/2 x 19 5/8 inches)
Editions:
Four Soup Cans (Gold on Cream): 54 signed
Four Soup Cans (Gold on Grey): 12 signed
Four Soup Cans (Blue and Red on Cream): 2 signed
Four Soup Cans (Red and Blue on Grey): 2 signed
Publisher: Pictures on Wall

Four Soup Cans (Gold on Grey)

Four Soup Cans (Blue and Red on Cream)

Four Soup Cans (Red and Blue on Grey)

Soup Can Colorways

There are 28 different colorways of Soup Can, just a few are shown below, more coming soon…

1. Soup Can (Banana/Cherry/Dark Blue)

Soup Can (Banana/Cherry/Dark Blue), 2005
Edition: 10 signed 

2. Soup Can (Banana/Lime/Purple)

Soup Can (Banana/Lime/Purple), 2005
Edition: 10 signed 

3. Soup Can (Banana/Orange, Hot Pink)

Soup Can (Banana/Orange, Hot Pink), 2005
Edition: 10 signed 

4. Soup Can (Lilac/Emerald, Purple)

Soup Can (Lilac/Emerald, Purple), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

5. Soup Can (Mint/Emerald, Cherry)

Soup Can (Mint/Emerald, Cherry), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

6. Soup Can (Mint/Orange/Brown)

Soup Can (Mint/Orange/Brown), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

7. Soup Can (Pale Lilac/Cherry/Mint)

Soup Can (Pale Lilac/Cherry/Mint), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

8. Soup Can (Pale Lilac/Lime/Dark Blue)

 

Soup Can (Pale Lilac/Lime/Dark Blue), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

9. Soup Can (Pink/Cherry/Sky Blue)

Soup Can (Pink/Cherry/Sky Blue), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

10. Soup Can (Pink/Emerald/Raspberry)

Soup Can (Pink/Emerald/Raspberry), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

11. Soup Can (Pink/Lime/Hot Pink)

Soup Can (Pink/Lime/Hot Pink), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

12. Soup Can (Purple/Orange/Blue)

Soup Can (Purple/Orange/Blue), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

13. Soup Can (Sage Green/Cherry/Tan)

Soup Can (Sage Green/Cherry/Tan), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

14. Soup Can (Sage Green/Lime/Cherry)

Soup Can (Sage Green/Lime/Cherry), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

15. Soup Can (Violet/Blue/Tan)

Soup Can (Violet/Blue/Tan), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

16. Soup Can (Violet/Cherry/Beige)

Soup Can (Violet/Cherry/Beige), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

17. Soup Can (Violet/Orange/Mint)

Soup Can (Violet/Orange/Mint), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

18. Soup Can (White/Blue/Hot Pink)

Soup Can (White/Blue/Hot Pink), 2005
Edition: 10 signed

 

Auction Market Overview

Soup Can (unsigned)

2025 No Sale at Auction in 2025
2024 Sold 3 Times
Average Price: GBP 17,257 (USD 22,067)
Top Price: GBP 20,160 (USD 25,565) @ Christie’s online on 26 March 2024
2023 Sold Once
Top Price: GBP 19,050 (USD 23,170) @ Sotheby’s online on 26 September 2023
2022 Sold Twice
Average Price: GBP 30,610 (USD 38,066)
Top Price: GBP 33,500 (USD 41,205) @ Forum Auctions on 15 June 2022
2021 Sold 8 Times
Average Price: GBP 35,878 (USD 49,508)
Top Price: NZD 102,850 (USD 71,860 / GBP 52,070)
@ International Art Center on 30 March 2021
2020 Sold 11 Times
Average Price: GBP 36,727 (USD 47,496)
NZD 120,000 (USD 78,890 / GBP 63,810)
@ International Art Center on 11 August 2020

Soup Can (signed)

2025 Sold Twice
Average Price: GBP 35,440 (USD 46,845)
Top Price: GBP 40,640 (USD 54,620) @ Christie’s London on 30 September 2025
2024 No Sale at Auction in 2024
2023 No Sale at Auction in 2023
2022 No Sale at Auction in 2022
2021 Sold 4 Times
Average Price: GBP 93,195 (USD 129,354)
Auction Record Price: JPY 20,125,000 (USD 182,955 / GBP 131,622)
@ SBI Art Auction on 31 January 2021
2020 Sold Twice
Average Price: GBP 55,402 (USD 71,454)
Top Price: GBP 68,340 (USD 90,410) @ Forum Auctions on 4 September 2020

 

 

Soup Can (unsigned)

2025 Auction Results

Soup Can (unsigned) did not sell at auction in 2025.

2024 Auction Results

Bonhams London: 3 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 18,000
GBP 15,360 / USD 19,435

BANKSY (British, born 1974)
Tesco Value Soup Can (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 68/250 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 50)
Tate Ward Auctions: 30 October 2024
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 16,250 / USD 21,125

BANKSY (British 1974-)
‘Soup Can’ (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 250 in pencil
Published by Pictures On Walls

Christie’s online: 26 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 20,160 / USD 25,565

BANKSY
Soup Can (Original) (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 18/250 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp (there was also a signed edition of 50)

2023 Auction Results

Sotheby’s London: 26 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 19,050 / USD 23,170

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Soup Can: Original Colorway, 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 194/250

2022 Auction Results

Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 27,720 / USD 34,927

BANKSY
Soup Can (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 223/250 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Forum Auctions: 14 June 2022
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 25,000 (Hammer)
GBP 33,500 / USD 41,205

BANKSY (b.1974)
Soup Can: Original Colorway, 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 250 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2021 Auction Results

Tate Ward Auctions: 7 December 2021
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 31,250 / USD 41,875

BANKSY (British 1974-)
‘Soup Can’ (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 250 in pencil
Published by Pictures On Walls, bearing the publishers blind stamp

SBI Art Auction: 30 October 2021
Estimated: JPY 3,000,000 – 5,000,000
JPY 6,325,000 / USD 55,495 / GBP 41,110

BANKSY
Soup Can (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint
Numbered and embossed on the lower right
From the edition of 250

Forum Auctions: 20 October 2021
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 22,000 (Hammer)
GBP 29,480 / USD 40,975
BANKSY (b.1974)
Soup Can (Original) (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 250 in pencil
Printed and published by Pictures on Walls, London, with their blindstamp

Forum Auctions: 10 June 2021
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 24,000 (Hammer)
GBP 32,160 / USD 45,665

BANKSY (b.1974)
Soup Can (Original) (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 250 in pencil
Printed and published by Pictures on Walls, London, with their blindstamp

Bonhams London: 28 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 27,750 / USD 38,575
BANKSY (British, born 1975)
Soup Can (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove
Numbered 79/250 in pencil
Published by Pictures on Walls, London, with their blindstamp

International Art Center: 30 March 2021
Estimated: NZD 80,000 – 120,000
NZD 85,000 (Hammer)
NZD 102,850 / USD 71,860 / GBP 52,070

BANKSY (British, born 1975)
Soup Can (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove
Numbered 12/250 in pencil
Published by Pictures on Walls, London, with their blindstamp

Sotheby’s New-York: 19 March 2021
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 25,000
USD 40,320 / GBP 29,100
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Soup Can: Original Colorway (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 216/250
With the blindstamp of the publisher, Pictures on Walls, London

Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 44,100 / USD 61,300

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Soup Cans: Original (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 77/250, with the publisher’s blindstamp

2020 Auction Results

Bonhams London: 10 December 2020
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 25,000
GBP 40,250 / USD 54,155

BANKSY (British, b. 1975)
Soup Can (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove
Numbered 30/250 in pencil
Published by Pictures on Walls, London, with their blindstamp

Tate Ward Auctions: 9 December 2020
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
GBP 47,500 / USD 63,910
BANKSY (British 1974-)
‘Soup Can’ (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 250 in pencil
Published by Pictures On Walls, bearing the publishers blind stamp

Tate Ward Auctions: 14 October 2020
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 47,500 / USD 61,855

BANKSY (British 1974-)
‘Soup Can’ (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 250 in pencil
Published by Pictures On Walls, bearing the publishers blind stamp

International Art Center: 11 August 2020
Estimated: NZD 40,000 – 50,000
NZD 120,000 / USD 78,890 / GBP 63,810
AUCTION RECORD FOR SOUP CAN (UNSIGNED)

BANKSY (British, born 1975)
Soup Can (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove
Numbered 228/250 in pencil
Published by Pictures on Walls, London, with their blindstamp

 

Soup Can (signed)

2026 Auction Results

Christie’s online: 31 March 2026
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 27,940 / USD 37,280

BANKSY
Soup Can (Original) (signed), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered 50/50 in pencil (there was also an unsigned edition of 250)
Published by Pictures on Walls, London, with their blindstamp

2025 Auction Results

Christie’s London: 30 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 40,640 / USD 54,620

BANKSY
Soup Can : Original Colorway, 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered 8/10 AP in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
An artist’s proof aside from the edition of fifty (there was also an unsigned edition of 250)

Christie’s online: 1 April 2025
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 30,240 / USD 39,070

BANKSY
Soup Can (Original) (signed), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered 37/50 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2024/2023/2022 Auction Results

Soup Can (signed) did not sell at auction on 2024/2023/2022.

2021 Auction Results

SBI Art Auction: 4 July 2021
Estimated: JPY 5,000,000 – 8,000,000
JPY 20,125,000 / USD 182,955 / GBP 131,620
AUCTION RECORD FOR SOUP CAN (SIGNED)

BANKSY
Soup Can (Original colorway), 2005
Screenprint
Signed, dated, numbered and embossed on the lower part
From the edition of 50

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

BANKSY
Soup Can (signed), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 45/50 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Soup Can (Colorways)

2025 Auction Results

Christie’s London: 30 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 60,960 / USD 81,930


BANKSY
Soup Can : Banana Lime Purple, 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered 8/10 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

Christie’s London: 30 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 60,960 / USD 81,930

BANKSY
Soup Can : Violet Blue Tan, 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered 8/10 in pencil  with the publisher’s blindstamp

Bonhams London: 25 June 2025
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 25,600 / USD 34,995

BANKSY (British, born 1974)
Soup Can (White/Emerald/Tan), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered 3/10 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2024 Auction Results

Tate Ward: 19 June 2024
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 33,600 / USD 42,840

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Soup Can (Yellow/Blue/Tan), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated, lower right
Numbered 4/10 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

2023 Auction Results

Christie’s online: 28 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 44,100 / USD 53,892

BANKSY
Soup Can (Mint / Emerald Green), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered 10/10 in pencil

Forum Auctions: 30 August 2023
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
HAMMER GBP 40,000
GBP 53,600 / USD 68,191

BANKSY
Soup Can (White/Orange/Raspberry), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 10 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Tate Ward Auctions: 29 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 34,500 / USD 42,471

BANKSY
Soup Can (Pink/Cherry/Blue), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, lower right
Numbered 4/10 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

2022 Auction Results

Christie’s online: 15 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 60,480 / USD 79,834

BANKSY
Soup Can (White/Emerald/Tan), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 8/10 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 55,000
GBP 50,400 / USD 63,504

BANKSY
Soup Can (Black Orange Pink), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 8/10 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

2021 Auction Results

Sotheby’s London: 18 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 94,500 / USD 131,545

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Soup Can: Banana / Cherry / Blue, 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated, numbered 4/10, with the publisher’s blindstamp

2020 Auction Results

Sotheby’s New-York: 16 December 2020
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 126,000

BANKSY (b.1974)
Soup Can – Purple / Orange / Blue, 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 10/10 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Forum Auctions: 27 October 2020
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
GBP 60,000 (Hammer)
GBP 80,400 / USD 104,863

BANKSY (b.1974)
Soup Can (Yellow/Emerald/Sky Blue), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered from the edition of 10 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s London: 6 September 2019
GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 20,000 / USD 24,567

BANKSY (b.1974)
SOUP CAN (GREEN), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated, numbered 3/10, with the publisher’s blindstamp

 

 

 

Four Soup Cans

Forum Auctions: 10 December 2025
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 18,000 (Hammer)
GBP 23,676 / USD 31,655

BANKSY (b.1974)
Four Soup Cans: Gold on Cream (Signed), 2006
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil
Numbered from the edition of 54
Printed and published by Pictures on Walls, London

Phillips London: 19 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 38,100 / USD 49,492

BANKSY
4 Soup Cans (Gold on Cream), 2006
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered 27/54 in pencil

Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 93,750

BANKSY (B. 1974)
Four Soup Cans – Gold on Cream, 2006
Screenprint in colors on cream wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered 26/54

Forum Auctions: 7 December 2020
Estimated: GBP

BANKSY (b.1974)
4 Soup Cans: Gold on Grey, 2006
The rare screenprint in colours on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered from the edition of 12 in pencil