Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
The King Pele - Futbol
Summary
The King Pele - Futbol is a single-colour screenprint on hand-torn archival paper, hand-finished by Mr. Brainwash in 2016. Issued in an edition of 75 at 22.5 x 22.5 inches, each impression carries dual authentication: the artist's signature, number and verso thumbprint, plus the signature of Pele himself.
Why It Matters
The dual-signature format is the crux here. Getting an athlete of Pele's stature to hand-sign every impression in an edition is rare in the print world, and it transforms a straightforward one-colour graphic into a sports-memorabilia crossover object. That overlap widens the collector base well beyond Mr. Brainwash's usual street-art audience.
Collector Perspective
Collectors should treat the Pele signature as the primary value driver and verify it independently of the artist's mark. The verso thumbprint is Mr. Brainwash's own authentication habit; confirm it is present. At the small 22.5-inch square format with a 75-run edition, condition of the hand-torn deckle edges matters to presentation.
Historical Context
The 2016 Pele series emerged from a collaboration between Mr. Brainwash and the footballer, spanning multiple compositions. It sits within the artist's long practice of iconography built around global celebrity, following his breakout via Banksy's Exit Through the Gift Shop. Pele's death in 2022 has since made living-signed works of this kind unrepeatable.
FAQ
Whose signatures appear on this print?
Both Pele and Mr. Brainwash signed each impression. The artist also numbered it and applied his thumbprint to the verso.
How large is the edition?
The edition is 75, at 22.5 x 22.5 inches on hand-torn archival paper.
What does 'one-colour, hand-finished' mean here?
It is a single-ink screenprint that the artist then worked by hand, so each impression carries minor individual variation.
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.