Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Headless Man (2024) (Black & Gold)
Summary
A 2024 hand-pulled screen print in a black-and-gold edition of 75, measuring 24 x 18 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper. "Headless Man" leans into one of Peterson's most visceral motifs, the decapitated or faceless figure, rendered here with the added gravity of a gold accent.
Why It Matters
The headless figure is a recurring emblem in Peterson's vocabulary of dehumanization and violence, stripping identity to reduce the human to an object of power. The black-and-gold treatment elevates that brutality with a note of ceremonial or monumental weight, a tension between horror and ornament.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 75, this is a scarcer 2024 release, and the black-and-gold colorway is generally sought for its richer presentation over plain black-and-white. The confronting subject is core Peterson iconography, making it a representative anchor piece for collectors building around his central themes.
Historical Context
Decapitation and facelessness recur across Peterson's decade of work as shorthand for the annihilation of the individual within systems of violence. Gold, historically the color of reliquaries and icons, has long been used to sanctify subjects, and Peterson exploits that association ironically against a scene of brutality.
FAQ
What is the colorway?
Black and gold, a richer treatment than his standard black-and-white prints.
What is the edition size?
A limited edition of 75.
What are the dimensions?
24 x 18 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges.
What does the imagery represent?
The headless figure is a recurring Peterson motif for dehumanization and the erasure of identity.
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.