Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Madre (First Edition)
Summary
Madre (First Edition, 2023) is a silkscreen with crystallina on Coventry Rag 290 gsm, hand-signed and numbered by the artist on the front. In an edition of 75 at 40 x 22.5 inches, it pairs Retna's script with a shimmering crystallina surface treatment on a heavyweight cotton-rag sheet.
Why It Matters
The crystallina application gives the print a reflective, jewel-like quality that shifts with viewing angle, a hallmark of Retna's more decorative editions. Front-of-sheet hand signing and numbering strengthen the documentation. At 75 impressions it sits in a mid-tier availability band, accessible yet clearly limited.
Collector Perspective
The vertical 40-inch format suits a narrow wall or pairing. Coventry Rag is a durable, archival cotton stock, but crystallina finishes reward careful framing under glazing that avoids abrasion. Confirm the front signature and edition number, and inspect the shimmer surface for even application.
Historical Context
The title Madre continues Retna's habit of naming works with Spanish and personally resonant words, reflecting his Los Angeles bicultural context. His script here operates as both language and ornament, a duality that has defined his gallery editions since the early 2010s.
FAQ
What is crystallina?
It is a reflective surface treatment that gives the print a shimmering, faceted quality that changes with the angle of light and viewing.
Where is it signed?
The artist hand-signed and numbered it on the front of the sheet.
What is the edition size?
It is an edition of 75, measuring 40 x 22.5 inches on Coventry Rag 290 gsm.
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.