Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Black On Blast
Summary
Black On Blast (2022) is a two-color lithograph printed on a Marinoni lithographic press, hand-cut, with glitter added by hand. Issued in an edition of 99 on BFK Rives 300 gsm at 98.5 x 70 cm, it combines traditional lithographic printing with a tactile, hand-finished glitter surface.
Why It Matters
The work bridges Retna's atelier lithography and his taste for hand-embellished editions. Marinoni-press printing on heavyweight BFK Rives is a fine-art standard, while the hand-applied glitter individualizes each of the 99 sheets. The near-meter scale gives the coded script commanding wall presence.
Collector Perspective
At 99, it is more available than his stone-lithograph runs of 12 while retaining the same press pedigree. The listing referenced a CHF price at release, but collectors should rely on current documentation rather than that figure. Hand-glitter finishing makes condition and framing important considerations.
Historical Context
BFK Rives and the Marinoni press place this firmly in the European fine-art print tradition Retna adopted for his 2020s gallery editions. The two-color approach keeps the palette restrained, letting the architecture of his invented alphabet carry the composition across the large sheet.
FAQ
How was it printed?
It is a two-color lithograph pulled on a Marinoni lithographic press, then hand-cut, with glitter applied by hand.
What paper is used?
BFK Rives 300 gsm, a heavyweight cotton-rag stock standard for fine-art lithography.
What is the edition size?
Ninety-nine impressions, measuring 98.5 x 70 cm.
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.