Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
El Salvador
Summary
El Salvador (2014) is a two-color serigraph on Coventry Rag 290 gsm in an edition of 60, released May 10, 2014 at Plaza de la Raza in Los Angeles. At 19 x 13 inches, it is a compact, community-rooted print tied to a specific LA release event.
Why It Matters
The release at Plaza de la Raza, a Los Angeles cultural center, gives this print strong local and cultural resonance. The title and venue connect Retna's script to Latino heritage and his LA roots, making it a documented, place-specific work rather than a purely commercial edition.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 60 and an intimate 19 x 13 inches, this is a modestly scaled but genuinely scarce piece. Its provenance from the Plaza de la Raza release adds narrative value. Coventry Rag is an archival cotton stock; confirm the two-color registration, signature, and numbering.
Historical Context
Plaza de la Raza is a long-standing arts and cultural center in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles. Retna's 2014 release there underscores his connection to LA's Latino community and his origins as a hometown artist whose invented alphabet draws on multicultural sources.
FAQ
Where was it released?
At Plaza de la Raza, a cultural center in Los Angeles, on May 10, 2014.
What is the edition size?
An edition of 60, printed in two colors on Coventry Rag 290 gsm.
Why is the venue significant?
Plaza de la Raza is an LA Latino arts center, tying the print to Retna's hometown and cultural roots.
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.