Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Quimera
Summary
Quimera (2019) is a decorative faience plate in an edition of 15, numbered in Roman numerals (XV), signed by the artist and numbered on the base. Round at 61.2 cm diameter and 8.5 cm deep, it renders Vhils's imagery in glazed ceramic, a departure from his paper and wall work into fired, functional-form material.
Why It Matters
Quimera moves Vhils's portraiture onto faience, a tin-glazed ceramic with deep decorative-arts tradition, especially in Portugal, his home country, where azulejo tilework and pottery are central to visual culture. At just 15 examples, it is a rare crossover between contemporary street-rooted imagery and heritage ceramic craft.
Collector Perspective
With only 15 pieces, Quimera is one of the scarcest Vhils editions in this group. Ceramic is fragile, so condition, absence of cracks, chips or glaze crazing, is paramount, as is careful display. The Roman-numeral numbering and base signature are the authentication markers. Its rarity and material distinctiveness make it a standout for a serious collection.
Historical Context
Vhils's Portuguese roots connect naturally to the country's storied ceramic and azulejo traditions. Produced in 2019 as a special run of 15 within the broader edition, Quimera situates his contemporary carving imagery within a heritage medium, bridging Lisbon's street-art present and its decorative-arts past.
FAQ
What is the plate made of?
Faience, a tin-glazed decorative ceramic, at 61.2 cm diameter and 8.5 cm deep.
How large is the edition?
An edition of 15, numbered in Roman numerals as XV.
How is it signed?
Signed by the artist and numbered on the base.
Why does condition matter so much?
As a fired ceramic, it is fragile; cracks, chips or glaze crazing significantly affect a piece.
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.