Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Revolution Is A Mother Who Eats Its Children (Bone Tondo)
Summary
A 2024 hand-pulled screen print in an edition of 100, distinguished by its circular tondo format cut to 24 x 24 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper. The bone colorway and the aphoristic title "Revolution Is A Mother Who Eats Its Children" push Peterson into overtly historical, philosophical territory.
Why It Matters
The circle-cut tondo is a rare formal choice in Peterson's editions, and the quotation, a famous formulation about revolutions turning on their own, deepens the work into a meditation on the cyclical self-destruction of political upheaval. Form and text converge to make the circle itself a symbol of that closed, devouring loop.
Collector Perspective
The physical tondo cut makes this a standout object within any Peterson holding, and circular editioned prints are uncommon enough to attract collectors seeking distinctive formats. At an edition of 100 with a layered, intellectually loaded title, it offers both visual novelty and conceptual heft in a single sheet.
Historical Context
The tondo has deep art-historical roots in Renaissance devotional painting, where the circle framed sacred subjects. Peterson subverts that tradition, filling the sacred shape with revolutionary cannibalism. The title paraphrases a long-standing observation, often traced to the French Revolution, about movements consuming their own.
FAQ
What is a tondo?
A circular artwork; this print is cut into a round 24 x 24 inch format.
What does the title mean?
It refers to revolutions turning on and destroying their own participants, a classic political observation.
What is the edition size?
A limited edition of 100.
What is the colorway?
A bone palette on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper.
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.