Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Legacy #1
Summary
Legacy #1 is a 2026 screen print by Vhils, executed in golden paint on black 240gsm paper at 100 by 70 centimetres. Signed and numbered by the artist, it belongs to an edition of 100 plus 10 artist proofs and forms part of a paired Legacy series exploring metallic imagery on a dark ground.
Why It Matters
Printing gold on black inverts the usual light-on-dark expectation of paper editions and lends the portrait a monumental, almost commemorative register fitting the title. The metallic ink references the way Vhils frames anonymous faces as memorials to the urban everyman.
Collector Perspective
As a screen print rather than a giclée, Legacy #1 carries the tactile ink deposit collectors often prefer. The larger 100 by 70 format anchors a wall well, and pairing it with Legacy #2 creates a natural diptych opportunity within a single collecting focus.
Historical Context
The Legacy pair, produced in 2026, continues Vhils's long engagement with the portrait as a monument to overlooked individuals. The gold-on-black palette aligns his street-derived imagery with the visual codes of memorial and heritage.
FAQ
What is the print method?
It is a screen print in golden paint on black 240gsm paper.
What is the edition size?
An edition of 100 plus 10 artist proofs, each signed and numbered.
How does it relate to Legacy #2?
They form a companion pair; #1 is the larger 100 by 70 format while #2 is a square 70 by 70.
Why gold on black?
The metallic palette gives the portrait a commemorative, memorial quality consistent with the Legacy theme.
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.