Gauntlet Gallery — D*Face Print Index
Death And Glory (First edition)
Summary
"Death And Glory" is a 2007 Black Rat Press etching in a signed edition of 50, combining etching and aquatint with hand-colouring. The 48 x 46 cm plate sits within a 58 x 56 cm sheet, and the release was accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek origin story about hazardous chemicals and blind Italian master printers.
Why It Matters
Etching is a rarity in D*Face's largely screenprint-based catalogue, making this a technically distinctive work. The aquatint and hand-colouring lend a tonal richness impossible in his flat graphic prints, while the mock-heroic backstory shows his satirical persona extending into the marketing itself. It bridges traditional intaglio and street sensibility.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 50 in a medium D*Face rarely used, this holds appeal for collectors seeking breadth in his catalogue. Etchings carry plate marks and delicate hand-colouring that reward inspection for pressure, inking and any foxing on the sheet. The published narrative is playful marketing rather than fact, so collectors should judge the object on its own merits.
Historical Context
Intaglio etching and aquatint are centuries-old techniques, and their use by a street-derived artist in 2007 reflects the movement's move into fine-art printmaking. Black Rat Press facilitated D*Face's excursion into the medium. The "death and glory" theme, with its skull-and-honour tension, sits squarely within his memento-mori preoccupations.
FAQ
What technique was used?
It is an etching and aquatint with hand-colouring, an unusual medium for D*Face, who mostly worked in screenprint.
Is the chemical backstory true?
The published tale of hazardous chemicals and blind Italian printers is satirical marketing, in keeping with D*Face's humour, not documented fact.
What are the plate and sheet sizes?
The plate is 48 x 46 cm within a 58 x 56 cm sheet, in a signed edition of 50.
About the Artist
D*Face is the working name of Dean Stockton (born 1978, London), a British street artist and a leading figure in the UK urban-contemporary scene. Drawing on comic books, pop art, skate graphics, and consumer iconography, he developed a signature cast of characters — winged "D*Dog" motifs, skull-faced pin-ups, and subverted Americana — rendered in bold, Lichtenstein-indebted lines. From stickers and street work in the early 2000s, he built a substantial studio practice of paintings, sculpture, and signed prints, founded the StolenSpace Gallery in London, and has collaborated widely across music and fashion.
Collecting D*Face at Gauntlet Gallery
Which D*Face works should I collect?
His signed, numbered screenprints — especially hand-finished and low-edition works — are the collectible core, prized for bold pop imagery. Look for clean condition and the artist's signature. Gauntlet Gallery prioritizes complete, well-documented impressions.
How is a D*Face 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, hand-embellishment, iconic imagery, condition, and provenance all shape value. Low-numbered, hand-finished, and larger works command the strongest premiums.