Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Vista Series #3
Summary
Released in 2019, Vista Series #3 translates Vhils' street practice into a compact framed sculpture in an edition of 20. Signed and numbered, the framed object measures 42 x 38 x 10 cm with an inset piece of 27 x 23 x 6 cm, presenting his carved-portrait language as a dimensional, wall-mounted work rather than a flat print.
Why It Matters
Vhils built his reputation by subtracting material from walls to reveal faces beneath. This sculptural edition compresses that idea into a collectible object, letting the removal-as-portraiture concept live in a domestic frame. At an edition of 20, it sits among his more limited three-dimensional releases rather than his broad paper editions.
Collector Perspective
Three-dimensional Vhils editions in small numbers appeal to collectors seeking the tactility his walls are known for. The signed and numbered edition of 20, with its defined inner and outer framed dimensions, offers a self-contained display object. Buyers should confirm the frame and inner piece remain intact, as condition of the housing is integral to the work.
Historical Context
By 2019 Vhils (Alexandre Farto) had spent over a decade carving portraits into urban surfaces across cities worldwide. Vista Series #3 belongs to a period when he expanded studio output into sculptural and relief editions, extending his signature excavated-face motif from public walls into framed, gallery-format objects.
FAQ
Is this a print or a sculpture?
It is a sculptural edition, not a paper print. The framed piece measures 42 x 38 x 10 cm with an inset of 27 x 23 x 6 cm.
How large is the edition?
The edition is limited to 20, each signed and numbered by the artist.
What should collectors check on condition?
Because it is a framed dimensional object, verify the frame, glazing, and inner relief are intact and undamaged, as the housing is part of the work.
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.