Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Composed
Summary
Composed (2022) is made from acid-etched metal plates, cut and assembled, measuring 43 x 55 cm. The artist's signature and numbering are engraved directly into the metal. Issued in an edition of 30 with 5 APs, it is among Vhils's scarcest editions, translating his portraiture into a hard, industrial, laser-etched surface.
Why It Matters
Etching a portrait into cut and assembled metal plates is a striking material choice, aligning with Vhils's fascination with the industrial fabric of cities. The engraved signature, rather than a pencilled one, reinforces the work's object-like permanence. At an edition of 30, it is a low-run, sculptural piece that stands apart from his paper editions.
Collector Perspective
With only 30 examples plus 5 APs, Composed is one of the rarer Vhils multiples, and its metal construction gives it durability and distinctive presence. The engraved numbering is integral to the object rather than an added mark. Collectors should treat it as a metal artwork: mounting weight, surface oxidation, and edge handling are the relevant care considerations.
Historical Context
Acid-etched and laser-worked metal has a long history in printmaking and industrial art, and Vhils adapts it here to portraiture. Assembling cut plates references construction and fabrication, extending his engagement with the materials of the built environment beyond concrete and posters. The small edition places it among his more exclusive studio productions of the period.
FAQ
What is Composed made of?
Acid-etched metal plates, cut and assembled, at 43 x 55 cm.
How is it signed?
The artist's signature and numbering are engraved directly into the metal.
What is the edition size?
Edition of 30, plus 5 artist's proofs, one of his scarcer runs.
Is it a print?
It is an etched and assembled metal object rather than a paper print.
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.