Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Nino Perdido
Summary
Nino Perdido, 2009, is a limited-edition screen print published by Paperworks Laboratories, measuring approximately 22 x 30 inches in an edition of 50. Released following a prior sold-out RETNA edition, it continued the publisher's series of the artist's calligraphic prints.
Why It Matters
Nino Perdido documents RETNA's productive relationship with Paperworks Laboratories, a publisher that issued several of his early editions. Its release on the heels of a sold-out prior print speaks to strong demand for his work in 2009. The edition of 50 keeps it accessible within his catalogue.
Collector Perspective
As a Paperworks Laboratories release in an edition of 50, Nino Perdido is a relatively attainable early RETNA screen print. The roughly 22 x 30 inch scale suits standard framing. Collectors should confirm the publisher provenance and any signature or numbering when authenticating an impression.
Historical Context
Dated 2009, Nino Perdido — Spanish for 'lost child' — reflects RETNA's ongoing use of Spanish titles and his early publishing partnerships in Los Angeles. Paperworks Laboratories helped circulate his script-based work to collectors before his broader international recognition.
FAQ
Who published this print?
It was published by Paperworks Laboratories.
What does the title mean?
'Nino Perdido' translates from Spanish as 'lost child.'
What is the edition size?
The edition is 50.
What are the dimensions?
It measures approximately 22 x 30 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.