Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
The Devil Made Me Do It (Timed Edition)
Summary
The Devil Made Me Do It is a 2022 timed-edition screen print, hand-pulled at 18 x 24 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges. The run size was determined by sales during the release window. Each print is signed and numbered. The title wields a familiar phrase to probe accountability and moral evasion.
Why It Matters
The colloquial title turns a common excuse into a sharp comment on how humans deflect responsibility for their own violence, a central preoccupation of Peterson's practice. The timed-edition model keeps supply demand-bound. In his flat two-tone idiom, the work confronts the viewer with the gap between action and blame.
Collector Perspective
As a timed edition, its scarcity is fixed only after the window closes, making the final count a key detail for collectors. The archival Coventry Rag stock with deckled edges maintains gallery-grade production, and the signed-and-numbered format supports collectibility within a focused Peterson holding of his 2022 self-released prints.
Historical Context
Peterson's interest in moral evasion connects to a long artistic tradition of depicting sin and its rationalizations. The phrase's pop-cultural resonance gives it immediate legibility. His 2022 timed editions extended this direct-to-collector model, pairing accessible pricing with demand-capped supply for pointed, aphoristic works.
FAQ
How was the edition size set?
It is a timed edition; the final count was determined by the number sold during the release window.
What does the title mean?
The title turns a common excuse into a comment on deflecting responsibility for one's own actions.
What are the print's dimensions?
It measures 18 x 24 inches, hand-pulled on Coventry Rag paper.
Is it signed and numbered?
Yes, each print is signed and numbered by Cleon Peterson.
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.