Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
American Revolutionaries
Summary
American Revolutionaries, 2009, is a four-color serigraph on Stonehenge 320gsm 100% cotton archival paper, measuring 28 x 39 inches in an edition of 50, signed, numbered, and dated by the artist. The large format carries RETNA's dense lettering across a wide field.
Why It Matters
A four-color serigraph at 28 x 39 inches on premium Stonehenge cotton, American Revolutionaries is a substantial early edition from RETNA's pre-breakout period. Signed, numbered, and dated impressions offer collectors full inscription. The edition of 50 balances scale and availability.
Collector Perspective
This large 2009 serigraph appeals to collectors seeking an earlier, fully inscribed RETNA work on archival cotton. The edition of 50 makes it more attainable than his single-digit runs. Buyers should confirm the signature, number, and date, and inspect the Stonehenge sheet for clean margins and registration.
Historical Context
Produced in 2009, American Revolutionaries predates RETNA's peak market moment and captures his evolving gallery practice on archival paper. The title's patriotic framing sits in tension with his street-rooted, coded lettering, reflecting the cultural commentary embedded in his early editions.
FAQ
How many colors are used?
It is a four-color serigraph.
What is the edition size?
The edition is 50, signed, numbered, and dated.
What are the dimensions?
It measures 28 x 39 inches.
What paper is it on?
Stonehenge 320gsm 100% cotton archival paper.
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.