Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Stop The Virus (First Edition)
Summary
Stop The Virus (First Edition) is a 2020 hand-pulled black-and-red screen print, 28 x 19 inches, on 290gsm Arches Rag with deckled edges. Self-released in a limited edition of 100 and signed and numbered, it applies Peterson's signature duotone conflict imagery to a pandemic-era subject as a first-edition release.
Why It Matters
As a designated first edition tied to the 2020 pandemic moment, this print captures Peterson responding in real time to a collective crisis. It extends his vocabulary of struggle and threat beyond interpersonal violence toward a public-health emergency, giving the work a specific temporal anchor that later impressions or reissues cannot claim.
Collector Perspective
The edition of 100 makes this scarcer than several of Peterson's larger runs, and the 'first edition' designation carries added weight for collectors who prioritize primacy. The larger 28 x 19 format reads well framed. Confirm the pencil signature, number, and clean deckled edges; first-edition status should be verifiable on the sheet.
Historical Context
Produced during the early COVID-19 period, this print sits within a broader 2020 output of self-released, socially engaged work. Peterson's decision to address the pandemic directly reflects how street-rooted artists documented the year's upheavals, using the immediacy of screen printing to respond faster than gallery cycles allowed.
FAQ
Why is it labeled 'First Edition'?
The designation marks it as the initial release of the image, a distinction collectors track when an artist issues an image in more than one run.
What are the dimensions?
28 x 19 inches, one of Peterson's larger single-sheet formats.
How many were produced?
A limited edition of 100, each signed and numbered.
What colors does the print use?
Black and red, Peterson's characteristic duotone palette.
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.