RETNA Original Painting 60" x 48" w/ Original Gallery Sale Label and COA, 125k Gallery Retail

Artist: RETNA
Title: Untitled
Medium: Original Acrylic Painting on Canvas
Size: 60" x 48" (unframed)
Year: 2019
Documentation: Includes original gallery sale label from New River Gallery in Fort Lauderdale, FL as well as the original certificate of authenticity from Iron Eye Fine Art Group

Emerging from the Los Angeles street art scene and evolving into a globally recognized contemporary artist, RETNA has developed a distinctive visual language that merges calligraphy, graffiti, and abstraction into a singular, codified form. His work draws from a wide range of typographic and cultural sources—including Blackletter, hieroglyphics, and traditional graffiti—resulting in compositions that operate simultaneously as text and image.

Untitled (2019), exemplifies RETNA's mature practice through a dynamic and richly layered composition. Executed in acrylic on canvas at an impressive scale of 60" x 48", the painting features an intricate network of the artist's signature glyphs rendered in a vibrant and varied palette. Deep maroon tones anchor the composition, while passages of pink, orange, and blue introduce movement and contrast. Accents of gold add luminosity and surface variation, interacting with areas of white that provide visual relief and structure. Together, these colors create a rhythmic, multi-dimensional field in which layered forms shift between foreground and background, enhancing both depth and visual complexity.

As with much of RETNA's work, the script remains intentionally indecipherable, suggesting language while resisting direct translation. This ambiguity allows the composition to function on both aesthetic and conceptual levels, inviting close visual engagement while emphasizing the formal qualities of line, pattern, and spatial organization. Works from this period demonstrate RETNA's continued exploration of scale, surface, and material, often incorporating layered applications that contribute to a tactile, architectonic quality.

The painting is further supported by clear and credible documentation. It retains a certificate of authenticity from Iron Eye Fine Art Group and gallery sales label from New River Gallery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, confirming its placement through a recognized commercial venue at the time of initial sale, as well as its original gallery asking price of $125,000. Together, these elements establish a well-documented and transparent unbroken record of provenance, aligning with standard practices for contemporary works originating from the artist and gallery system. This original RETNA painting is currently unframed but can be framed in the manner of your choosing for an additional cost.

Combining a complex, multi-tonal palette with RETNA's immediately recognizable script, Untitled (2019) represents a strong example of the artist's large-scale studio production. Its balanced composition, material richness, and complete documentation position it as a compelling work within RETNA's broader oeuvre and within the evolving market for contemporary text-based abstraction.

About RETNA

RETNA (b. 1979) is an American contemporary artist best known for his distinctive script-based paintings that merge elements of calligraphy, graffiti, and global typographic traditions. Born Marquis Lewis in Los Angeles, California, RETNA developed his artistic practice within the city's street art scene before transitioning into a widely recognized figure in contemporary fine art.

RETNA's work is characterized by a unique visual language composed of intricate, stylized glyphs. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources—including ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, Arabic calligraphy, Gothic blackletter, and traditional graffiti tagging—his compositions function as both text and image. While the script often appears cryptic, it frequently encodes personal narratives, poetry, or cultural references, contributing to the layered complexity of his work.

Over time, RETNA has expanded his practice from public murals to large-scale studio paintings, works on paper, and mixed-media installations. His compositions are often defined by bold contrast, rhythmic patterning, and a refined sense of balance between abstraction and legibility. This evolution has positioned his work within broader conversations surrounding contemporary abstraction and the legacy of text-based art.

RETNA's work has been exhibited internationally in galleries and institutions, reflecting his growing presence in the global art market. In addition to exhibitions, he has collaborated with major brands and cultural organizations, further extending his visual language into fashion, design, and public art contexts.

Today, RETNA is regarded as a significant figure in the intersection of street art and contemporary fine art. His practice continues to explore the relationship between language, identity, and visual form, contributing to ongoing dialogues about the role of text in modern artistic expression.