Retna
Buy RETNA Limited Edition Prints & Originals Paintings
At ArtLife, we offer a curated selection of RETNA’s calligraphic masterpieces, ranging from accessible limited editions to high-value primary works. Our inventory includes original acrylics on canvas, rare lithographs, and screenprints featuring his signature “ancient-future” script. Browse our exclusive collection of verified RETNA prints and unique artworks to find the perfect addition to your portfolio.
Artwork
Sell Your RETNA with ArtLife
Sell your authenticated RETNA artwork or print with ArtLife through a discreet, expert-led process connecting you with global collectors. Submission is free with no obligation to sell.
- FREE MARKET-LED VALUATION
- ACCESS TO SERIOUS COLLECTORS
- DISCREET PRIVATE SALES
- EXPERT HANDLING OF THE ARTWORKS
- STRATEGIC TIMING AND PLACEMENT
- GLOBAL REACH, PERSONAL APPROACH
Biography
Before becoming a mainstay of the graffiti scene, Retna — then still known by his birth name, Marquis Lewis — spent his childhood moving between various Los Angeles suburbs. Furthering his interest in street art with each move, his work also began to draw on influences from his family’s roots in African American, South American and Native American countries. He began tagging at the age of 9, and adopted his first moniker, A1, the following year, in honor of his steak condiment of choice.
While leading a street art crew in LA during his late teens, Lewis adopted the tag Retna in 1997, at the age of 18. The name was inspired by a line in the Wu-Tang Clan song ‘Heaterz’ which particularly resonated with him: “Kinetic globes light when it shine, burns your retina”. His time working with this crew, and his stint shortly after with a larger street art collective, also led to his decision not to further his academic study of art, instead gaining his education in graffiti directly from the streets.
Retna has told the press that his particular interest in typography came as “a direct result of [his] graffiti background…bridging the gap between graffiti art and fine art.” His style draws on a range of different scripts from around the world, including Old English, Hebrew, Egyptian hieroglyphics and Sanskrit. This is combined with more modern art influences from the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and Gustav Klimt, developing over time into an approach that is uniquely the artist’s own.
Despite developing his working practices in the streets of Los Angeles, Retna’s art quickly became accepted by the mainstream. His work has been used in commercials and for album artwork, including decorating the flagship Los Angeles branch of the Nike store and working on designs for the stage sets and costumes of two seperate productions of the Verdi opera Aida. He also created the unique characters which adorn the artwork of Justin Beiber’s 2015 album Purpose, exposing his work to millions of new fans worldwide.
Retna’s work has also been exhibited and sold at major galleries across the United States and Europe. His 2013 piece Quiero Mis Amigos De Regresso sold for $35,000 in 2016, marking his most expensive piece sold at auction to date. Here at ArtLife, we have a series of exclusive Retna art for sale, including a range of Untitled pieces painted in 2020, reflecting the artist’s state of mind during the Coronavirus pandemic. If you have any inquiries about these works, or Retna’s work in general, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
RETNA Artworks and Their Investment Value
RETNA’s artworks span three primary tiers: originals on canvas, unique works on paper, and limited edition prints. Originals on canvas command the highest value, prized for their scale, texture, and intricate calligraphic layering, often incorporating enamel and diamond dust.
Works on paper are one-of-a-kind creations on reclaimed materials, maps, or specialty papers, more accessible but still significant in value when properly framed. Limited edition lithographs and screenprints hold investment potential only when signed and numbered, while unsigned posters or exhibition materials have minimal secondary market value. Understanding these distinctions is essential for collectors navigating the RETNA market.
Authentication and Studio Verification of RETNA Art
In the RETNA market, a signature alone is insufficient proof of legitimacy due to the complexity of his studio practice over the years.
- - The Paper Trail: We require a solid chain of ownership. The most liquid works trace back to specific eras of representation (e.g., reputable galleries or direct studio acquisitions).
- - Visual Analysis: Authentic RETNA script has a specific velocity and ‘snap’ at the edges of the brushstrokes. Replicas tend to look sluggish or hesitant. We cross-reference the visual syntax with established periods of his career to verify the work is a genuine studio output.
How to Buy RETNA Prints with Confidence and Security
Buying RETNA prints requires careful attention to authenticity, edition, and provenance. Start by searching for available works through trusted galleries or marketplaces, paying close attention to whether a print is signed, numbered, or part of a limited edition. RETNA works should be verified by Pest Control, his official authentication body, to ensure legitimacy.
Collectors should request high-resolution images or video viewings, and visit galleries in person when possible, to inspect condition and details. Working with a reputable partner like ArtLife ensures secure purchase, verified authenticity, and safe global delivery, giving collectors confidence in their investment.
Smart RETNA Art Investments: What to Buy for Profit
For maximum appreciation, ArtLife recommends focusing on Script Density. Works where the calligraphy is tight, intricate, and covers the entire surface (edge-to-edge) historically outperform “loose” or sparse compositions. The market favors complexity.
Regarding color, High Contrast works—Black & Silver, Red & Gold/Brimstone—are the most liquid assets. A pristine canvas with heavy, metallic impasto and dense hieroglyphs offers the strongest stability and return potential in the current market.
Notable RETNA Works & Market Highlights
Collectors focus on his large-scale monochromatic canvases—specifically in silver or gold dust. These works differentiate themselves by bridging the raw energy of street art with the discipline of traditional calligraphy, earning them placement in collections that typically exclude urban genres.
He also brought this aesthetic to the global luxury sector, painting the VistaJet fleet and designing the famous Louis Vuitton Stole.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can purchase verified RETNA artworks directly through ArtLife. We specialize in sourcing authentic prints and originals from the secondary market, ensuring every piece listed meets strict quality and provenance standards for collectors.
Yes, ArtLife provides a secure platform to buy RETNA art online. We offer detailed catalogs, high-resolution images, and full condition reports, allowing you to acquire investment-grade pieces from anywhere in the world with confidence.
Originals are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces painted by RETNA, typically on canvas, wood, or metal, and command the highest prices. Prints are reproductions produced in limited editions (for example, screenprints or lithographs). ArtLife offers both, catering to different investment levels.
Legitimate RETNA prints are those released by established print houses or the artist’s studio. They should typically be signed and numbered. ArtLife only deals in authorized editions, so you never purchase a poster or unauthorized reproduction.
Authenticity is verified through a valid Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from the artist or a reputable primary gallery, alongside a clear provenance history. ArtLife’s experts conduct thorough due diligence on every RETNA work we sell to guarantee its legitimacy before it reaches you.
RETNA holds a unique position in the contemporary asset class: he has genuine appeal across different markets. His proprietary typography commands attention in both the primary art market and the high-end luxury sector, evidenced by collaborations with Louis Vuitton and VistaJet.
Simultaneous success across these verticals creates a diversified collector base, insulating values from regional volatility. Collecting RETNA through ArtLife secures entry into a mature market where blue-chip inventory and limited supply drive long-term capital appreciation.
For RETNA, a COA is like the deed to the artwork. It proves the work came from the artist or his authorized representatives. Without it, resale value can be significantly impacted. ArtLife verifies all applicable documentation is present and transferred to the new owner.
Absolutely. If you possess a RETNA print or original, ArtLife can help you sell it. Our “Sell Your Art” service connects sellers with our global network of collectors, managing the valuation and sales process to maximize your return.