Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Contingency
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Contingency is documented in this catalog as a 2015 Lithograph | Hand Finished. The saved release record lists dimensions of 85 x 60 cm. The saved record attributes the release to Underdogs. The cataloged edition information is 120.
Collector notes: Edition of 120 plus 20 artist's proofs according to the saved release record. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
Contingency unites two sides of Vhils' printmaking: the seven-colour lithographic sophistication of his Idem-style work and the corrosive Quink-and-acid finishing of his wall practice. The combination makes it one of his more complex 2015 editions, and each acid intervention keeps every impression unique.
Collector Perspective
The hybrid technique — fine lithography plus hand-applied acid — gives collectors both printmaking depth and genuine variation across the edition of 120. The generous 85 × 60 cm format on hand-cut BFK Rives makes it a substantial wall piece and a strong representative of his mid-2010s output.
Historical Context
Bridging his pure lithographs like Glimpse and his acid-finished screen prints, Contingency (2015) shows Vhils merging techniques on a single Marinoni-pressed sheet. It anticipates the four-colour, acid-finished lithographs such as Changes that followed in 2016.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned lithograph
- Release date
- 2015
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Lithograph | Hand Finished; catalog dimensions 85 x 60 cm; SEVEN-COLOUR LITHOGRAPH; SIGNED, NUMBERED AND HAND-FINISHED BY THE ARTIST; BKF RIVES 270GR HAND-CUT PAPER.
- Edition details
- Edition of 120 plus 20 artist's proofs according to the saved release record.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Vhils's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: Read as documented context rather than stated intent: Bridging his pure lithographs like Glimpse and his acid-finished screen prints, Contingency (2015) shows Vhils merging techniques on a single Marinoni-pressed sheet. This is an interpretive reading of the release context, not a statement of the artist's intent for this specific work. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2015 and attributes the edition to Underdogs.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Underdogs. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Vhils — official site — Vhils studio · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official artist site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
- Vhils — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Vhils (Q115823) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
What makes Contingency technically notable?
It combines a seven-colour lithograph with hand-applied Quink ink and acid, merging two of Vhils' printmaking approaches.
How large is the edition?
120 impressions plus 20 artist's proofs.
Are all impressions the same?
No, the acid finishing makes each sheet unique.
