Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
The Nightmare (Yellow)
Summary
"The Nightmare (Yellow)" is a 2021 hand-pulled screen print by Cleon Peterson, signed and numbered in an edition of 100. Measuring 16 x 16 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag with deckled edges, this yellow colorway injects a jarring, high-alarm hue into Peterson's black graphic language, heightening the sense of dread the title promises.
Why It Matters
Yellow is Peterson's signal color for menace, and here it functions like a warning light. Against black figures, the acid tone converts the composition into something feverish and airless. It matters as a strong example of how the artist weaponizes a limited palette to make a small square feel genuinely unsettling.
Collector Perspective
The yellow colorway carries visual punch that outsizes its 16 inch footprint, making it a favorite for collectors who want maximum graphic impact in an entry-level format. Edition of 100, hand-pulled on archival stock, signed and numbered, it holds its own beside larger works while remaining approachable.
Historical Context
Released in 2021, "The Nightmare" extends Peterson's long preoccupation with fear, aggression, and the darker impulses of contemporary society. The yellow-and-black scheme is a recurring device in his catalog, self-released direct from the artist during a prolific period of small-format print production.
FAQ
Why is it called The Nightmare?
The title frames the work within Peterson's themes of dread and menace, amplified here by the alarming yellow-on-black palette.
What size is it?
16 x 16 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges.
How many were printed?
A signed and numbered limited edition of 100.
Is the yellow part of the print or the paper?
The yellow is a printed color, applied through the hand-pulled screen printing process against Peterson's black figures.
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.