Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Brigitte Bardot (Red Lips)
Summary
Brigitte Bardot (Red Lips) is a 2016 screen print on hand-torn archival paper featuring a black and multi-color blended gradient, editioned to 45 at 42.5 x 36 inches. Because the gradient is blended by hand, slight variation occurs between prints, giving each impression of the French screen icon its own subtle character in this red-lips colorway.
Why It Matters
The blended-gradient technique means every impression differs slightly, adding a unique quality within an already tight edition of 45. Brigitte Bardot, a defining figure of 1960s European cinema and style, is a less common MBW subject, giving this 2016 print distinctive appeal for collectors of film and fashion icons.
Collector Perspective
Because the gradient varies impression to impression, buyers should evaluate the specific sheet's color transition rather than relying on the reference image. With 45 examples, availability is limited. Confirm signature and numbering, and inspect the large 42.5 x 36 sheet's blended color and torn edges.
Historical Context
Brigitte Bardot became an international symbol of glamour and liberation in the 1950s and 60s, an enduring style icon. Dating to 2016, this print predates much of MBW's large 2017 output and reflects his ongoing engagement with mid-century cultural figures, rendered here with a hand-blended gradient technique.
FAQ
Why does each print vary?
The black-to-multicolor gradient is blended by hand, so slight variation occurs between impressions.
What is the colorway?
This is the red-lips variant of the Brigitte Bardot image.
What is the edition size?
The edition is 45.
What are the dimensions?
It measures 42.5 x 36 inches on hand-torn archival paper.
About the Artist
Mr. Brainwash is the pseudonym of Thierry Guetta, a French-born, Los Angeles-based street artist who rose to prominence through Banksy's 2010 documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. Originally a videographer who filmed street artists including Shepard Fairey and Banksy, Guetta reinvented himself as an artist, staging his ambitious 2008 debut show "Life Is Beautiful" in Los Angeles. His work draws heavily on pop-art appropriation, remixing icons such as Warhol, Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, and spray-paint splatters. He has produced album art and large-scale exhibitions across the U.S. and Europe.
Collecting Mr Brainwash at Gauntlet Gallery
What Mr. Brainwash prints should I buy first?
Start with hand-finished screenprints and stencil works from his named exhibitions, where each impression is signed, numbered, and often uniquely embellished with spray-paint or stamps. Smaller editions and show-related pieces from "Life Is Beautiful" and later gallery runs are the most recognizable entry points. At Gauntlet Gallery we prioritize pieces with clean condition and complete signing.
How is authenticity documented?
Gauntlet Gallery sells Mr. Brainwash works with documented studio provenance and the artist's own signature, numbering, and thumbprint or stamp where present. We photograph the exact piece you receive, including signature and edition details, so what you verify is what ships.
What drives value?
Value is driven by edition size, whether the piece is hand-embellished versus a flat print, subject popularity, condition, and provenance tied to a documented exhibition. Signed, low-numbered, and uniquely finished impressions command the strongest premiums.