Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Flowers Of Evil: The Kiss (White)
Summary
Flowers Of Evil: The Kiss (White) is a 2021 hand-pulled black-and-bone screen print in an edition of 125, self-released by Cleon Peterson. At a large 32 x 32 inch square on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges, it pairs intimacy and menace within his Flowers Of Evil series. Each impression is signed and numbered.
Why It Matters
The Kiss reframes a tender subject through Peterson's fraught lens, where affection and aggression blur, echoing the beauty-and-decay tension of Baudelaire's Flowers Of Evil. The large square format lends it centerpiece scale. The two-color black-and-bone treatment and edition of 125 place it among his notable series works.
Collector Perspective
The subject matter offers a rarer note of intimacy within Peterson's often brutal catalog, giving this print distinct appeal. Its 32 x 32 inch scale and series membership make it a standout acquisition. The two-color duotone frames beautifully, and the signed, numbered self-release provides direct provenance from the artist.
Historical Context
The Kiss carries an art-historical lineage running through Rodin and Klimt, which Peterson subverts with his silhouetted tension. Its place in the 2021 Flowers Of Evil series ties it to Baudelaire's poetry of love and mortality. The work reflects his effort to embed street-rooted imagery in a literary tradition.
FAQ
What is the edition size?
The edition is limited to 125 hand-pulled screen prints, each signed and numbered.
What are the dimensions?
The print measures a large 32 x 32 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges.
How many colors are used?
It is a two-color black-and-bone screen print.
Is this part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to Cleon Peterson's Flowers Of Evil series, self-released in 2021.
About the Artist
Cleon Peterson (born 1973, Seattle) is an American artist known for stark, high-contrast compositions depicting scenes of violence, power, and social conflict. Working primarily in a limited palette — often black on a single bold ground — he renders chaotic tableaux of figures locked in struggle, exploring themes of authority, brutality, and moral disorder in contemporary society. His graphic, almost hieroglyphic style has appeared in paintings, murals, and a substantial catalogue of signed prints, as well as collaborations spanning fashion and public art. He is based in Los Angeles.
Collecting Cleon Peterson at Gauntlet Gallery
Which Cleon Peterson works should I collect?
His signed, numbered screenprints are the core of the market, prized for their bold duotone impact. Look for clean registration and strong condition. Gauntlet Gallery prioritizes complete, well-preserved impressions with documentation.
How is a Cleon Peterson piece authenticated?
We sell his works with documented provenance and the edition's signature and numbering. Each piece is photographed as-is, including signature and edition details, so you can verify before purchase.
What drives value?
Edition size, image iconicity, color scheme, condition, and provenance drive value. Low-numbered, large-format, and hand-embellished works command the strongest premiums.