Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Brimstone M
Summary
Brimstone M, 2010, is a five-color serigraph published and printed by Modern Multiples for RETNA's 'Desaturated' exhibition at New Image Gallery in West Hollywood. Measuring 59 x 22 inches in an edition of 16, it is the companion variant to Brimstone X within the same series.
Why It Matters
As the 'M' counterpart to Brimstone X, this print offers collectors the chance to assemble a matched pair from the 'Desaturated' show. The Modern Multiples pedigree and edition of 16 maintain scarcity, while the shared tall format reinforces the series' vertical, column-like presentation of RETNA's lettering.
Collector Perspective
Brimstone M holds particular appeal for collectors seeking to pair it with Brimstone X as a diptych from the same exhibition. The small edition of 16 and exhibition provenance drive its desirability. Verify the Modern Multiples publication and numbering, and consider the display logic of the narrow vertical format.
Historical Context
Created in 2010 for the 'Desaturated' exhibition at New Image Gallery, Brimstone M sits alongside Brimstone X in RETNA's early gallery editions. The show and its Modern Multiples serigraphs mark the artist's formal entry into curated exhibition contexts from a street-art foundation.
FAQ
How does this relate to Brimstone X?
It is the companion 'M' variant from the same 'Desaturated' series, sharing format and edition size.
Who published the print?
Modern Multiples published and printed it for the New Image Gallery show.
What is the edition size?
The edition is 16.
What are the dimensions?
It measures 59 x 22 inches.
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.