Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Graphite
Summary
Graphite (2023) is a hand-finished screen print on Fabriano G.Fino watercolour paper, 300 g/m2, at 100 x 70 cm. Signed and numbered in an edition of 250 with 25 APs, it presents a large-scale Vhils portrait with the artist's characteristic layered, excavated look, finished by hand so each sheet carries subtle individual variation.
Why It Matters
At an edition of 250 on premium heavyweight watercolour stock, Graphite is one of Vhils's more accessible large-format releases, offering his monumental portrait language at print scale. The hand-finishing keeps it from being a straight mechanical reproduction, preserving the tactile, one-of-a-kind quality that defines his editioned work.
Collector Perspective
The larger edition of 250 makes this a comparatively attainable entry point into Vhils's catalogue, ideal for collectors wanting the full 100 x 70 cm impact without the scarcity premium of his sculptural pieces. The Fabriano G.Fino watercolour paper is archival-grade; careful framing with acid-free mounts and UV glazing will protect the hand-finished surface long term.
Historical Context
Fabriano, one of Europe's oldest papermakers, has supplied artists for centuries, and its use here signals a quality-conscious print program. By 2023 Vhils was releasing editions across a spectrum of scarcities, from tiny sculptural runs to broader paper editions like this, allowing a wide collector base to engage with his eroded-portrait imagery.
FAQ
What is the edition size of Graphite?
Edition of 250, plus 25 artist's proofs, signed and numbered.
What paper is it printed on?
Fabriano G.Fino watercolour paper at 300 g/m2, sized 100 x 70 cm.
Is each print unique?
The base is a screen print, but each is hand-finished by the artist, giving individual variation.
Why is this considered accessible?
With an edition of 250, it is one of the larger Vhils releases, making it a more attainable large-format work than his sculptural editions.
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.