Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Untitled (Braddock Tiles)
Summary
Untitled (Braddock Tiles) (2013) is a giclée digital print on archival Canson Mi-Teintes paper, 13 x 19 inches, in an edition of 250, embossed by Braddock Tiles. It ties Retna's script to a charitable, community-based publishing initiative in Braddock, Pennsylvania.
Why It Matters
The Braddock Tiles embossing gives this print a cause-driven provenance distinct from Retna's commercial editions. Braddock Tiles was a community art project, so the work carries philanthropic and place-based significance, appealing to collectors who value the story behind an edition as much as the image.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 250 and a modest 13 x 19 inches, this is among the more accessible Retna prints. Its value rests as much on the Braddock Tiles association and embossing as on scale. Confirm the emboss mark and print condition; archival Canson stock supports long-term preservation.
Historical Context
Braddock Tiles was a community initiative in the post-industrial town of Braddock, Pennsylvania, associated with efforts to rebuild through art and craft. Retna's 2013 contribution reflects the era's wave of artist-driven civic projects, embedding his alphabet in a socially engaged context.
FAQ
What is Braddock Tiles?
A community-based art initiative in Braddock, Pennsylvania; this print was embossed by the project as part of its charitable publishing.
What medium is it?
A giclée digital print on archival Canson Mi-Teintes paper, with a Braddock Tiles emboss.
How large is the edition?
An edition of 250, at 13 x 19 inches paper size.
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.