Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Untitled (First Edition)
Summary
This Untitled serigraph (2014) was part of the Provocateurs Print Portfolio, a 10-artist print set published by Art Alliance and limited to 50 sets. Signed and numbered in an edition of 200, it measures 24 x 34 inches vertical and offers Retna's script within a landmark group portfolio.
Why It Matters
Portfolio provenance distinguishes this print. As part of the Provocateurs project, Retna's work sits alongside nine other artists in a curated set, tying it to a specific curatorial moment. Sheets could be acquired within the 50-set portfolio or individually, giving it dual collecting pathways.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 200 this is among Retna's more available serigraphs, but its portfolio context adds documentary value. Collectors should note whether an example was sold individually or came from a complete Provocateurs set, as intact portfolios carry additional significance. Confirm the signature and numbering.
Historical Context
The Provocateurs Print Portfolio, published by Art Alliance around 2014, assembled prints from ten artists as a limited group release. Retna's participation reflects his established position in the mid-2010s street-and-contemporary print scene, where portfolio projects gathered peer artists into single collectible sets.
FAQ
What is the Provocateurs portfolio?
A 10-artist print set published by Art Alliance, limited to 50 complete sets, of which this Retna serigraph is one component.
Could prints be bought separately?
Yes, the portfolio was offered as a full set or as individual signed and numbered prints from the edition of 200.
What are its dimensions?
It is a vertical serigraph, 24 x 34 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.