Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Agua Sucia II
Summary
Agua Sucia II is a 2012 etching by RETNA in a tight edition of 10, measuring roughly 16.5 x 13.75 cm. The intaglio medium marks a departure from the artist's large silkscreen output, translating his invented calligraphic alphabet into the fine, incised line of a plate. The intimate scale rewards close reading of each glyph.
Why It Matters
Etchings are uncommon in RETNA's catalogue, which is dominated by serigraphs and hand-finished multiples. An edition of only 10 places Agua Sucia II among the artist's most restricted print runs. For collectors, the piece documents RETNA testing his script within a traditional printmaking discipline that demands precision rather than gestural scale.
Collector Perspective
With just 10 impressions, availability is inherently thin, and the small format suits collectors building a focused works-on-paper holding. The etching medium appeals to those who value process and printmaking craft over wall-scale impact. Verify plate condition, paper margins, and edition numbering when examining any impression.
Historical Context
Dated 2012, Agua Sucia II arrives during a period of intense demand for RETNA following his rise from the Los Angeles graffiti scene into gallery and museum contexts. The Spanish-language title, translating loosely to 'dirty water,' reflects the bilingual and cultural references that recur throughout his lettering-based work.
FAQ
How large is the edition?
The edition is limited to 10, one of RETNA's smallest published print runs.
What medium is this print?
It is an etching, an intaglio process, rather than the silkscreen technique RETNA is best known for.
What does the title mean?
'Agua Sucia' translates from Spanish as 'dirty water'; this is the second work, 'II,' bearing the title.
How big is the physical work?
It measures approximately 16.5 x 13.75 cm, an intimate scale well suited to close viewing.
About the Artist
RETNA (Marquis Lewis, born 1979 in Los Angeles) is an American artist known for a distinctive invented script that fuses graffiti, calligraphy, and historical alphabets including Egyptian hieroglyphs, Arabic, and blackletter. He rose from the LA street-art scene and gained wide recognition in the 2010s through gallery exhibitions and public murals. His hybrid typographic style has led to collaborations with brands and institutions, and his large-scale text-based canvases have been shown internationally. RETNA's coded lettering remains his signature, treated as a personal, largely illegible language.
Collecting Retna at Gauntlet Gallery
What should I look for when buying a RETNA print?
Look for signed and numbered screen prints from documented releases, noting the edition size, paper, and any embossed publisher marks. RETNA's dense script prints are popular, so verify that the signature and numbering match the known edition. Original paintings require thorough provenance. Gauntlet Gallery lists edition details and condition for each RETNA work offered.
How are RETNA works authenticated?
Authentication rests on the publisher's certificate of authenticity, the hand signature, and a clear ownership trail from a gallery, auction house, or the studio. Comparing the print to its published edition specifications is key. Gauntlet Gallery documents each piece with its available paperwork and provenance rather than relying on any authority the artist does not endorse.
What drives value in RETNA's work?
Unique canvases and hand-embellished works sit at the top of the market, followed by low-edition signed prints in strong condition. Value reflects scale, complexity of the script composition, exhibition history, and provenance. Well-preserved, fully documented pieces from recognized editions retain value most reliably.