Certified Appraiser. Former Auctioneer. Banksy Expert.
For over 40 years, Richard Hessink has been a prominent figure in the international art world — as a Dutch art dealer, certified appraiser and former auctioneer. He founded Hessink's Fine Art Auctioneers, building international recognition through high-profile sales and deep market knowledge across specialist categories.
His expertise spans street art, African and Oceanic art, natural history and minerals, arms and militaria, jewellery, and books. But it is his knowledge of Banksy's work that has earned him a particular standing in the international art world.
The Catalogue Raisonné
In 2020, Richard was drawn into a high-stakes authenticity dispute over two Banksy works — Gangsta Rat and Never Liked The Beatles — sold at auction for €400,000. After winning the case in 2023, he recognised a fundamental gap: there was no definitive scholarly reference for Banksy's street works.
That absence became the catalyst for the Catalogue Raisonné of Banksy's Street Art — the most comprehensive documentation of Banksy's public works ever assembled. Richard analysed over 35,000 photographs, identifying hundreds of works never previously documented.
The first edition was published in April 2022: two volumes, 1,100+ pages, 2,500+ photographs covering 1995–2021. In September 2024, the definitive second edition followed — three volumes, 1,750 pages, 6,500+ photographs, limited to 500 numbered copies.
"There is too much mystery and nonsense surrounding Banksy's public street art. I want to bring clarity."
— Richard Hessink
The Catalogue is now cited by auction houses worldwide and was personally presented to Prince Albert II of Monaco. It has been featured in The Art Newspaper, Artnet News, NPO Radio 1 and international art publications. Approximately 700 Banksy works documented within had never previously appeared on his website or in any other publication.
Milestones
1983 — Richard Hessink begins his career in fine art dealing, building four decades of knowledge in authentication and valuation.
2020 — A high-stakes authenticity dispute over Banksy works sold for €400,000 begins.
2021 — Research begins. Richard analyses over 35,000 photographs of Banksy street works.
2022 — First Catalogue Raisonné published. Two volumes, 1,100+ pages, 2,500+ photographs.
2023 — Legal victory. The case is won, vindicating his expertise.
2024 — Definitive second edition released. Three volumes, 1,750 pages, 6,500+ photographs. Limited to 500 numbered copies.
Duveen
Catalogue Raisonné of Banksy's Street Art — Second Edition
Hall of Fame
Encounters from four decades in the art world
Monaco
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
H.S.H. Prince Albert II personally received a copy of the Catalogue Raisonné and discussed it with Richard — royal recognition for the most comprehensive Banksy reference work ever compiled.
The Netherlands
Prof. Dr. Jan-Peter Balkenende
Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands — one of the political and cultural figures who have engaged with Richard's scholarship on Banksy's public street art.
The Netherlands
Leo Alkemade
Famous Dutch songwriter, comedian and actor — one of the Netherlands' most recognisable creative personalities, photographed with Richard.
Monaco
Richard Marangoni
Police Commissioner of Monaco and his deputy, photographed with Richard in front of the Palace during his visit to present the Catalogue Raisonné.
New York
Blade
The legendary American graffiti pioneer — one of the most important figures in the history of street art — photographed with Richard during his research travels.
Denmark
Peter Hvidberg
Widely regarded as the world's greatest private collector of Banksy's street artworks — a peer and counterpart whose collection and knowledge spans three decades.
United Kingdom
Robin Barton — Bankrobber
Famous British art dealer and founder of Bankrobber gallery — one of Europe's foremost voices in street art, and a natural counterpart to Richard's scholarship.
The Netherlands
Max Hessink & Astrid
Richard's son Max and his wife Astrid, holding Banksy's Paparazzi Rat on a Fridge Door — one of the many remarkable works that passed through Richard's hands.
The Netherlands
Joost de Jonge
Famous international Dutch artist — photographed with Richard Hessink.
Monaco
Arie van 't Hof
Consul General of the Netherlands in Monaco — present during Richard's visit to the Principality to present the Catalogue Raisonné.
Amsterdam
Bas van Lier
Pianist and Interim Director of the Theatrum Vitae, Amsterdam — photographed with Richard Hessink.
Belgium
Prof. dr. Anton van der Geld
President of BUC (BeNeLux Universitair Centrum Luik, Brussels) — one of the academic figures who have engaged with Richard's documentation of Banksy's work.
The Netherlands
Hugo de Jonge
Former Dutch and EU Politician — photographed with Richard Hessink.
The Netherlands
Nico Vrielink
Famous Dutch and international art painter — photographed with Richard Hessink.
The Netherlands
Richard Hessink
The Author signing the First Edition of the Catalogue Raisonné of Banksy's Street Art — April 2022.
The Netherlands
Richard Hessink
The Author with his Catalogue Raisonné of Banksy's Street Art — three volumes, 1,750 pages, 6,500+ photographs.
The Netherlands
Richard Hessink
The Author during a symposium on Banksy's Catalogue Raisonné — sharing his research with collectors, academics and art professionals.
Austria
Baron Vinzenz von Stimpfl-Abele
Procurator and recipient of the Golden Medal of Merit of the Republic of Austria — photographed with the Banksy Catalogue Raisonné.
United Kingdom
"Vince" Jö-Nés
Famous British cyber artist from Camden — one of the boundary-pushing creative figures Richard has encountered through four decades in the art world.
USA
Jesse Zuefle
Author, art lover and, in his own words, a well-rounded degenerate — one of many international figures drawn to Richard's work on Banksy.
The Netherlands
Peter Smulders
Father of star photographer Edwin Smulders — photographed with Richard Hessink.
Zeeland, NL
Richard Hessink
The Author during a signing session at a Graffiti Art Show in Zeeland — bringing the Catalogue Raisonné directly to collectors and enthusiasts.
Zeeland, NL
Tineke Smithart
Gallery Smithart, Zeeland — one of the gallerists who hosted Richard and the Catalogue Raisonné during its tour of exhibitions and signing events.
The Netherlands
From the Collection
The Author with some of Banksy's street artworks he sold in the past — rare originals that passed through Richard's hands over four decades in the market.
Somalia
H.E. Dahir Shire Mohamed
The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Federal Government of Somalia, photographed with Richard Hessink and the Catalogue Raisonné of Banksy's Street Art.
