Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Little Big Man Putin / Trump (Red)
Work Summary & Collector Notes
A 2018 hand-pulled screen print from Cleon Peterson's overtly political phase, "Little Big Man Putin / Trump (Red)" renders two figures locked in a charged, ambiguous embrace. Printed in black and gold on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges, at 18 x 24 inches in an edition of 150, each sheet is signed and numbered by the artist.
Collector notes: The saved release record describes: limited edition of 150. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
Peterson rarely names names. This print, part of a paired "Little Big Man" series, turns his abstract vocabulary of dominance and submission toward a specific geopolitical relationship, making it one of his most literal political statements. The pairing with the Mueller/Trump variant frames it as commentary on power, influence, and hierarchy rather than portraiture.
Collector Perspective
Self-released directly by the artist, this print exists outside the larger publisher editions, which appeals to collectors who value work issued on Peterson's own terms. The 150-count edition, deckled Coventry Rag stock, and hand signature make it a legible, well-documented entry point. Its companion piece invites diptych collecting, a natural draw for series-minded buyers.
Historical Context
Released in 2018 amid intense public scrutiny of US-Russia relations, the print sits within a wave of politically explicit street-adjacent print work. Peterson, known for stark duotone scenes of violence and authority, applies his signature graphic flatness to contemporary events, extending a lineage of artists using accessible print editions to circulate pointed social critique.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned screenprint
- Release date
- 2018
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Screen Print; catalog dimensions 24 x 18 inches; 18 x 24" hand pulled black and gold screen print; printed on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges.
- Edition details
- The saved release record describes: limited edition of 150.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Cleon Peterson's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: Read as documented context rather than stated intent: Released in 2018 amid intense public scrutiny of US-Russia relations, the print sits within a wave of politically explicit street-adjacent print work. This is an interpretive reading of the release context, not a statement of the artist's intent for this specific work. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2018 and attributes the edition to Cleon Peterson (Self Released).
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Cleon Peterson (Self Released). That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Cleon Peterson — official site — Cleon Peterson studio · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official artist site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
- Cleon Peterson — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Cleon Peterson (Q124215748) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
Is this print signed and numbered?
Yes. Each of the 150 prints is hand-signed and numbered by Cleon Peterson.
Who published this edition?
It was self-released by Cleon Peterson rather than through an outside publisher.
What paper and size is it?
It is an 18 x 24 inch screen print on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges.
Does it pair with another print?
Yes. It is a companion to "Little Big Man Mueller / Trump (Red)," issued the same year in the same format.
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