Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Sacred Dance Of Memories
Summary
Sacred Dance Of Memories (2017) is a four-color lithograph printed on Marinoni machines and hand-cut, on white BFK Rives 270 gsm. In an edition of 99 at 82 x 68 cm, it is signed, named, and numbered by the artist, offering a richer polychrome treatment of his coded script.
Why It Matters
The four-color palette sets this apart from Retna's frequent two-color and monochrome editions, giving the composition greater depth and layering. Marinoni-press lithography on BFK Rives places it in the fine-art print tradition, while the artist naming and numbering the edition adds strong documentation.
Collector Perspective
At 99 impressions it is accessible relative to his stone-lithograph runs, yet the four-color printing and hand-cutting make it a more visually ambitious sheet. Confirm the signature, written edition name, and numbering. The 82 x 68 cm format frames comfortably as a standalone statement.
Historical Context
The evocative, memory-themed title reflects Retna's tendency toward poetic naming. Produced via Marinoni lithography in 2017, it belongs to the productive gallery-print period when his ateliers translated his alphabet into layered, multi-color editions on premium cotton-rag paper.
FAQ
How many colors does it use?
It is a four-color lithograph, more polychrome than many of Retna's two-color editions.
How is it documented?
The artist signed, named, and numbered the edition on the sheet.
What is the edition size?
Ninety-nine impressions on BFK Rives 270 gsm, measuring 82 x 68 cm.
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.