Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Sangre Oscura
Summary
Sangre Oscura, 2011, is a 13-color serigraph on Coventry Rag Vellum 320gsm, measuring 53 x 34.5 inches (133 x 88 cm) in an edition of 24. The unusually high 13-color count makes it one of the more technically ambitious serigraphs in RETNA's catalogue.
Why It Matters
A 13-color serigraph demands complex registration and elevates the piece above typical few-color prints. Combined with the large format and heavy rag vellum, Sangre Oscura showcases the technical peak of RETNA's collaboration with his printers. The edition of 24 keeps availability limited.
Collector Perspective
The 13-color process is a genuine differentiator, giving this serigraph exceptional depth and color complexity for the medium. At 53 x 34.5 inches in an edition of 24, it is both scale-appropriate and scarce. Collectors should confirm numbering and inspect the multi-layer registration for which the piece is prized.
Historical Context
Produced in 2011 during RETNA's ascent, Sangre Oscura — Spanish for 'dark blood' — extends the artist's pattern of Spanish titles paired with dense, coded lettering. The elaborate 13-color build reflects the resources and ambition behind his most significant editions of the period.
FAQ
How many colors are in this serigraph?
It is a 13-color serigraph, an unusually complex color build.
What does the title mean?
'Sangre Oscura' translates from Spanish as 'dark blood.'
What is the edition size?
The edition is 24.
What paper is used?
Coventry Rag Vellum 320gsm.
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.