Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Retrospect
Summary
Retrospect is a 2013 first-edition sixteen-color screen print on hand-torn archival art paper, issued in an edition of 40 at 45.5 by 45.5 inches. Each large square sheet is signed, numbered, and carries Mr. Brainwash's verso thumbprint.
Why It Matters
With sixteen colors, a large square format, and one of the tightest editions in the group at 40, Retrospect combines technical density with genuine scarcity. Its 2013 date places it among the earlier works here, and the reflective title suggests a survey of the artist's own visual vocabulary.
Collector Perspective
An edition of 40 makes this one of the scarcer paper prints in the set, and the 45.5-inch square format is a distinctive, substantial presence. Collectors should verify the sixteen-color designation, confirm the square dimensions and first-edition status, and check signature, numbering, and the verso thumbprint.
Historical Context
Dating to 2013, Retrospect sits earlier in this grouping and reflects Mr. Brainwash's established layered, multi-color aesthetic. The title's nod to looking back aligns with the artist's habit of remixing and compiling his recurring pop imagery into dense compositions.
FAQ
How scarce is Retrospect?
It was issued in an edition of only 40, one of the tightest editions in this group.
How many colors are used?
It is a sixteen-color screen print on hand-torn archival paper.
What is the format?
Retrospect is a large square print measuring 45.5 by 45.5 inches.
Is this a first edition?
Yes, this is the 2013 first edition, signed and numbered with a verso thumbprint.
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.