Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Even The Heart Skips a Beat (Black On Black)
Summary
A 2024 two-color screenprint from an edition of 99, Even The Heart Skips a Beat (Black on Black) is executed on Somerset Rad white velvet 330 gsm and finished with hand-applied black glitter. Measuring 110 x 73.2 cm and hand-cut, it distills Retna's coded alphabet into a dense, tonal field where mark and surface merge rather than contrast.
Why It Matters
The black-on-black treatment is a deliberate reversal of legibility. By denying the usual figure-ground separation, Retna forces the eye to read texture and reflected light instead of high-contrast line. The hand-applied glitter turns each impression into a slightly unique object, positioning this among his more materially ambitious editioned works of the mid-2020s.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 99 with a substantial 43-inch scale, this print offers presence without the extreme scarcity of his stone-lithograph runs of 12. The hand-glitter finish means condition and even light are central: collectors should view it in raking light and confirm the signature and numbering, which sit on the sheet's premium velvet stock.
Historical Context
Retna, born Marquis Lewis in Los Angeles, built his reputation on an invented script fusing calligraphic traditions from Gothic blackletter, Arabic, and Egyptian sources with West Coast graffiti. This 2024 edition continues his gallery-print practice of translating that alphabet onto refined papers, extending the studio's move toward tonal, monochrome surfaces.
FAQ
What makes this the 'Black on Black' version?
It uses two black-family colors on white velvet stock with hand-applied black glitter, suppressing contrast so the composition reads through texture and reflected light rather than line.
How large is the edition?
It is an edition of 99, signed by the artist. The description was cut off before full signing details, so verify the exact signature placement against the physical sheet.
Is the glitter machine-applied?
No. The description specifies black glitter added by hand, which makes each impression subtly individual and condition-sensitive.
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.