Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Incognito (First Edition)
Summary
A 2019 President's Day release, Incognito depicts American founding fathers wearing novelty nose-and-glasses disguises, each portrait framed with a lighthearted comedic twist. Issued as a giclee print in an edition of 100 at 22 x 17.5 inches, it applies MBW's irreverent humor to solemn historical iconography.
Why It Matters
The piece turns reverence into play, defacing the dignified portraiture of national founders with a dime-store disguise gag. That tension between civic solemnity and gift-shop absurdity is central to Mr. Brainwash's appeal, using humor to puncture the mythology around venerated figures.
Collector Perspective
As a giclee in an edition of 100, this is one of the more accessible releases in the group, both in medium and edition size. The President's Day tie-in and Americana subject give it a specific thematic hook that appeals to collectors drawn to political or patriotic pop imagery rather than the music or superhero series.
Historical Context
American founding fathers have been endlessly reproduced on currency, monuments, and civic art. By pairing them with a comedic disguise, Mr. Brainwash follows pop art's long habit of skewering national symbols, echoing the satirical edge that artists have brought to political portraiture for decades.
FAQ
What occasion prompted this print?
It was released for President's Day as a tribute to the American founding fathers, rendered with comedic disguises.
What is the medium?
Incognito is a giclee print, not a screen print.
What is the edition size?
It was issued in an edition of 100 at 22 x 17.5 inches.
What is depicted?
Founding fathers are shown wearing nose-and-glasses disguises with a lighthearted comedic twist.
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.