Banksy painting destroyed in artist's prank at Sotheby's auction

Girl With Balloon, a painting by British artist Banksy, spontaneously destructed at a Sotheby's auction in London in an apparent prank by the anonymous and mischievous artist.

The scene at Sotheby's just after the Banksy sold for £1 million. Credit:Internet

Immediately after the painting had been sold to a phone bidder for £1.04 million ($AUD 1.93m), part of it slid down the frame and was mysteriously shredded, according to Sotheby's.

"We've just been Banksy'ed," Alex Branczik, Sotheby's European head of contemporary art, said at a press conference following the auction.

“We have not experienced this situation in the past . . . where a painting spontaneously shredded, upon achieving a [near-]record for the artist. We are busily figuring out what this means in an auction context,” he said.

“He is arguably the greatest British street artist, and tonight we saw a little piece of Banksy genius.”

Mr Branczik also said he was “not in on the ruse”.

A Banksy artwork destructs shortly after selling at auction for £1 million. Credit:Sothebys- Instagram

Banksy, who made his reputation as a street artist known for provocative and politically charged stencils, protects his identity. His art has appeared unannounced on city walls around the world, helping to create strong demand for his images.

The Financial Times reported the painting was shredded by a contraption that seemed to be hidden in the frame.

The picture, which shows a girl letting go of a red balloon, was purchased directly from Banksy by the vendor, The Financial Times reported.

The investor who cast the winning bid "was surprised by the story", said Sotheby's in a statement after the artwork shredded.

“We have talked with the successful purchaser who was surprised by the story. We are in discussion about next steps.”

"We've been Banksy'd!"Credit:Sothebys- Instagram

There was speculation in the art world that Banksy could have been in the room to activate the destruction of the work.

“A man dressed in black sporting sunglasses and a hat was seen scuffling with security guards near the entrance to Sotheby’s shortly after the incident,” reported the Art Newspaper.

Bloomberg and wires

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