Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Judgment (Black & Gold)
Summary
Peterson's 2016 self-released screen print in black and gold, a 20 by 28 inch sheet hand pulled in gold on 250gsm Arches Cover Black paper with deckled edges. The edition is limited to 125, each impression signed and numbered by the artist. Gold ink on black stock gives the composition a stark, ceremonial gravity fitting its title.
Why It Matters
Judgment applies Peterson's gold-on-black treatment to a vertical format, framing his figures within a language of tribunal and reckoning. The Arches Cover Black ground and metallic pull produce his most solemn register, aligning the work's charged theme with a deliberately austere, high-contrast material presentation.
Collector Perspective
The black-and-gold pairing is among Peterson's most collectible palettes, and the vertical scale is display-friendly. At 125 self-released, authentication rests on signature and numbering. Even gold coverage on the dark stock and intact deckled edges separate strong impressions; the black ground can show handling, rewarding careful condition assessment.
Historical Context
Titles like Judgment show Peterson naming the moral machinery behind his violence, invoking law and verdict while staging their arbitrary exercise. In 2016 this vocabulary of authority and reckoning ran through his editions, using antique compositional order to interrogate contemporary systems of power and punishment.
FAQ
What is the colorway?
Black and gold, with gold ink hand pulled onto black Arches Cover paper.
What are the dimensions?
A vertical sheet at 20 by 28 inches.
Who published it?
It is a self-released edition by Cleon Peterson.
How many impressions exist?
125 signed and numbered.
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.