Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Black Magic
Summary
Black Magic, 2011, is a five-color hand-separated fine art serigraph printed by Modern Multiples on Coventry Rag Vellum 320gsm, in an edition of 30 measuring 38 x 55 inches. The heavy vellum stock and hand-separated color layers reflect the craft-forward serigraphy that defines RETNA's collaborations with Modern Multiples.
Why It Matters
Modern Multiples, the Los Angeles atelier founded by the late Richard Duardo, printed many of RETNA's most respected serigraphs. Hand separation of five colors is labor-intensive and yields richer registration than photographic processes. The large format and edition of 30 make Black Magic an accessible yet substantial entry into RETNA's Modern Multiples work.
Collector Perspective
At 38 x 55 inches on premium rag vellum, this is a statement piece with the craft pedigree of a Duardo-era Modern Multiples print. An edition of 30 offers reasonable availability relative to RETNA's smaller runs. Collectors should confirm numbering and check the vellum for the crisp registration these serigraphs are known for.
Historical Context
Dated 2011, Black Magic coincides with RETNA's breakout year, when his script appeared everywhere from gallery walls to a widely publicized album cover commission. Modern Multiples, led by Richard Duardo, was central to legitimizing street-rooted LA artists within the fine-print tradition.
FAQ
Who printed this serigraph?
It was printed by Modern Multiples, the Los Angeles atelier associated with Richard Duardo.
How many colors are used?
Five colors, each hand-separated rather than photographically produced.
What is the edition size?
The edition is limited to 30.
What paper is it printed on?
Coventry Rag Vellum 320gsm, a heavy archival stock.
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.