Banksy posts image of new lighthouse artwork believed to be in Marseille

Banksy has posted an image of a new artwork believed to be in southern France, though its exact location has not been confirmed.

The characteristic image, posted on the artist’s Instagram account, morphs the shadow of a street bollard into the form of lighthouse. Stencilled across it are the words: “I want to be what you saw in me.”

A Banksy fansite reports that the work is in Le Panier in Marseilles, a district near the city’s port that is known for its graffiti, including several works by the French street artist Invader, who uses a pixelated style.

Lighthouse-shaped bollards line many of the streets in Marseilles, including in Le Panier.

Close to the latest work, revealed on Thursday, is a tag that appears to read Yaze, which is the mark used by a Canadian graffiti artist who also goes by the name Marco the Polo and cites Banksy as an inspiration.

Banksy’s works have fetched millions at auction, prompting speculation over the Bristol graffiti artist’s identity.

Inspiration for the quote in the lighthouse artwork may have come from the song Softly, by the Tennessee-based country band Lonestar, which features the lyric:

“I want to be what you see in me.
I want to love you the way that you love me.”

A swathe of animal-themed Banksy works appeared in London last year, including a rhino seemingly mounting a silver Nissan Micra, two elephant silhouettes with their trunks stretched towards each other, three monkeys that appeared to be swinging on a bridge, and a gorilla on a shutter at London zoo.

Since then Banksy has posted a mural depicting the Madonna and child.