Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Contrive Series #04
Summary
Contrive Series #04 (2019) is a hand-finished lithograph in an edition of 30, worked with Quink ink and acid at 95 by 70 cm. The fourth image in the Contrive Series, it unites lithographic printing with Vhils's corrosive finishing, and its small edition lends each impression scarcity and individual surface variation.
Why It Matters
Contrive #04 continues the series' hybrid technique, applying acid-and-Quink erosion to a lithograph in a way that fuses fine art printmaking with Vhils's carving language. As the fourth of five, it advances a tightly editioned sequence. At 30 examples, it gives collectors a rare, large-format, hand-worked instance of his method.
Collector Perspective
An edition of 30 makes Contrive #04 scarce, with acid finishing ensuring each sheet is unique. The 95 by 70 cm scale supports prominent display. For collectors building the full set, #04 nears completion of the sequence; authentication rests on the signature and number, and surface irregularity should be understood as intended.
Historical Context
From the 2019 Contrive Series, #04 shows Vhils extending his erosion technique across lithography. The series stems from a career carving portraits into walls and billboards internationally, distilled here into a small, technically hybrid edition of 30.
FAQ
How does #04 fit the series?
It is the fourth of five images in the Contrive Series, all sharing the technique and edition of 30.
What is the edition size?
An edition of 30, signed and numbered.
What technique is used?
Lithography hand-finished with Quink ink and acid, so each sheet varies.
What are the dimensions?
95 by 70 cm.
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.