Gauntlet Gallery — Mr Brainwash Print & Edition Index
Rescue (Red)
Work Summary & Collector Notes
A five-color screen print from 2019 in which Mr. Brainwash appropriates Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and drags it into his signature pop vernacular. Issued in an edition of 70 on hand-torn archival art paper at 30 x 22.5 inches, each impression is signed, numbered, and carries the artist's trademark thumbprint on the verso.
Collector notes: Edition of 70 according to the saved release record. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered; artist thumbprint on the reverse; certificate of authenticity stated in the saved release description. Verify each feature on the physical copy.
Why It Matters
The Mona Lisa is arguably the most recognized painting on earth, which makes it a natural target for an artist whose entire practice hinges on recontextualizing icons. This piece distills Mr. Brainwash's thesis: nothing is too sacred to be reworked. The five-color layering gives it a punchier, poster-like presence than the Renaissance original.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 70 this sits in the mid-tier of Mr. Brainwash releases, tighter than his 100-count runs but more available than the hand-finished editions of 12 to 20. The hand-torn deckle edges and verso thumbprint are the two authentication touchpoints collectors check first. The Mona Lisa subject gives it broad crossover appeal beyond dedicated MBW followers.
Historical Context
Reworking the Mona Lisa has a long lineage, from Duchamp's L.H.O.O.Q. to Warhol's silkscreens. Mr. Brainwash, who rose to prominence through the 2010 film Exit Through the Gift Shop, positions himself squarely in that appropriation tradition. This 2019 release fits his ongoing habit of grabbing the most famous image in a given category and putting his stamp on it.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned screenprint
- Release date
- 2019-05-02
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release date from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Series
- Other Editioned Works
- Medium and materials
- Screen Print; catalog dimensions 30 x 22.5 inches; five-color screenprint; archival art paper; hand-torn edges.
- Edition details
- Edition of 70 according to the saved release record.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered; artist thumbprint on the reverse; certificate of authenticity stated in the saved release description. Verify each feature on the physical copy.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: The studio dates Mr Brainwash's first Life Is Beautiful solo exhibition to 18 June 2008; this page treats that as career context, not proof that the present edition appeared in that exhibition.
Meaning / interpretation: The studio describes the practice as combining street-art energy, pop-culture imagery and positive messaging. Subject-specific intent or endorsement is not assumed unless a release or collaboration source states it. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2019-05-02 and attributes the edition to Mr Brainwash (Self Released).
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- The saved release description states that this pre-2021 edition originally included a certificate. The studio's current FAQ says it will not backdate certificates for earlier works, so an absent original should not be replaced by a newly issued studio COA. For an individual copy, compare the support, dimensions, edition number, signature, thumbprint and any studio or gallery paperwork. The studio says it cannot guarantee works bought from external vendors.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the legacy record to Mr Brainwash (Self Released). That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence and condition photographs.
Related Artists and Exhibitions
- Life Is Beautiful — first solo exhibition — CBS Columbia Square, Hollywood · 18 June 2008 · Artist-career context; the source does not establish that this later edition was exhibited
Videos
- Official video archive — ARTE and Los Angeles Times features — Mr Brainwash studio · Artist process and exhibition context; not release-specific
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; official studio policy and career context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-12 · Starting record for title, date, edition, dimensions, medium, release price and release description. Public access was unavailable during this audit, so primary confirmation remains pending.
- Studio FAQ — certificates and web orders — Mr Brainwash studio · primary artist policy · Accessed 2026-07-12 · The studio says it issues COAs only for works after January 2021 and will not backdate earlier works.
- Collector authentication disclaimer — Mr Brainwash studio · primary artist policy · Accessed 2026-07-12 · The studio does not guarantee externally purchased works and directs collectors to the relevant reseller or gallery.
- About Mr Brainwash — Mr Brainwash studio · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-12 · Studio biography and artist-level context; it is not an individual-edition record.
- Life Is Beautiful — first solo exhibition — Mr Brainwash studio · primary artist archive · Accessed 2026-07-12 · Studio history of the 18 June 2008 debut exhibition, which included prints among several media.
Known conflicts or unresolved points:
- Legacy title colorway (red) conflicts with the Edition field (Blue); the physical sheet or object must resolve the variant.
FAQ
What is the documented edition structure?
Edition of 70 according to the saved release record.
Which signature or authentication features are documented?
The saved release record describes: signed; numbered; artist thumbprint on the reverse; certificate of authenticity stated in the saved release description. Verify each feature on the physical copy. The saved release description states that this pre-2021 edition originally included a certificate. The studio's current FAQ says it will not backdate certificates for earlier works, so an absent original should not be replaced by a newly issued studio COA. For an individual copy, compare the support, dimensions, edition number, signature, thumbprint and any studio or gallery paperwork. The studio says it cannot guarantee works bought from external vendors.
Is original packaging documented?
Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
How certain are the release details?
The date, edition, dimensions, medium and original-release description come from a saved secondary catalog record. Official studio sources on this page support artist-level context and current authentication policy, but not every release-level field.
