Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
American Dreamers V
Summary
American Dreamers V (2019) is a seven-colour lithograph in an edition of 450, printed on a Marinoni press at Idem Studio in Paris on hand-cut BFK Rives 270gsm paper at 70 by 100 cm. Signed and numbered, it is part of a numbered sequence, with this listing's example being an artist's proof outside the main run.
Why It Matters
American Dreamers engages the mythology of aspiration and migration, a theme with social weight, rendered through Vhils's layered portrait language. Produced at the historic Idem atelier with seven-colour lithography and hand-cut paper, it represents his most refined fine art printmaking, distinct from the raw acid-and-bleach screen prints, and a larger, more ambitious composition.
Collector Perspective
At 450 impressions this is a sizeable edition, but the Idem provenance, seven-colour process and large 70 by 100 cm scale elevate it. The 'V' indicates a series of related images, so collectors may consider set potential. The hand-cut BFK Rives sheet and signature are authentication anchors, and this example is an artist's proof.
Historical Context
Idem Studio in Paris, home to Marinoni presses used across generations of major artists, lends American Dreamers V a distinguished production lineage. Created in 2019, the series reflects Vhils's move toward socially resonant themes, here the American dream, executed through traditional fine art lithography rather than his street-derived chemical techniques.
FAQ
What theme does the series address?
It engages the mythology of the American dream and aspiration through Vhils's portrait imagery.
Where was it printed?
At Idem Studio in Paris on a Marinoni press, as a seven-colour lithograph.
What does the 'V' signify?
It denotes this work's place within a numbered sequence of related American Dreamers images.
What is the edition and paper?
An edition of 450 on hand-cut BFK Rives 270gsm at 70 by 100 cm; this example is an artist's proof.
About the Artist
Vhils is the working name of Alexandre Farto, a Portuguese visual artist born in 1987 near Lisbon. He is internationally recognized for a pioneering "carving" technique in which he excavates portraits from layered walls, billboards, and surfaces using chisels, drills, and controlled explosives, effectively creating images by removing material rather than adding it. His large-scale murals appear in cities across the globe, and his studio editions translate this bas-relief, destructive-creation aesthetic into prints, laser-cut works, and mixed-media pieces. Vhils has exhibited widely and collaborated on major public and institutional projects.
Collecting Vhils at Gauntlet Gallery
What Vhils works can I collect?
Beyond his walls, Vhils produces signed, numbered studio editions including screenprints, hand-carved paper, laser-cut metal, and mixed-media relief works. Editions that preserve his signature carving texture are especially sought after. Gauntlet Gallery favors pieces in excellent condition with intact surfaces and complete documentation.
How is a Vhils piece authenticated?
We sell Vhils works with documented studio provenance, supported by the edition's signature and numbering. Each piece is photographed exactly as it will ship, including signature, edition number, and any embossing or studio marks, so details are verifiable up front.
What drives value?
Medium and technique (unique carved and relief works over flat prints), edition size, scale, condition, and documented provenance all shape price. Hand-worked, textural, and one-of-a-kind pieces carry the highest premiums.