Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Vagos Y Reinas
Summary
Vagos Y Reinas, 2009, is the exhibition print from the Mac & RETNA collaboration — a two-color metallic serigraph on Stonehenge Black 320gsm 100% cotton archival paper, measuring 23 x 29 inches in a numbered edition of 40, signed by the artists. The black ground makes the metallic inks glow.
Why It Matters
This is a documented collaboration between RETNA and fellow LA artist Mac, produced as an exhibition print. The metallic inks on Stonehenge Black stock create a dramatic contrast rarely seen in RETNA's more conventional white-paper editions. An edition of 40 keeps it scarce while remaining findable.
Collector Perspective
The Mac & RETNA collaboration and the striking metallic-on-black presentation give Vagos Y Reinas a distinct look within RETNA holdings. At 23 x 29 inches in an edition of 40, it offers moderate accessibility. Collectors should confirm both artists' signatures and inspect the metallic ink surface, which can show handling marks.
Historical Context
Dated 2009, Vagos Y Reinas — loosely 'vagabonds and queens' — reflects RETNA's collaborative roots in the Los Angeles art scene before his international breakout. The Spanish title and metallic aesthetic tie the work to the cultural and street influences foundational to his practice.
FAQ
Who collaborated on this print?
It is the exhibition print from the Mac & RETNA collaboration, signed by both artists.
What is distinctive about the printing?
It uses two metallic colors on Stonehenge Black cotton paper for a glowing effect.
What is the edition size?
The numbered edition is 40.
What are the dimensions?
It measures 23 x 29 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.