*APC ART is pleased to present “Cartoon Stone” by RETNA (Marquis Lewis) — an exceptionally rare lithograph on stone, printed on the historic Marinoni lithographic press and hand cut, stamped and numbered by the legendary atelier IDEM Paris. This particular example is one of only two artist’s proofs produced.*

*Measuring an impressive 107 x 77 cm (42.13 x 30.31 inches), the work possesses a commanding physical presence that immediately situates it among the most important graphic works within RETNA’s printed oeuvre. The scale, combined with the hand-cut sheet and the rich, velvety density of the lithographic surface, gives the piece a powerful, almost painterly authority.*

*Executed through the traditional and highly demanding process of stone lithography — a medium historically associated with the great masters of modern printmaking — the work stands as a testament to RETNA’s deep engagement with both contemporary culture and classical technique. The collaboration with IDEM Paris, one of the most revered print studios in the world, places this work within a lineage that includes Picasso, Miró, Matisse and Giacometti.*

*RETNA’s visual language — a completely original system of calligraphic abstraction drawn from global typographic histories including Egyptian hieroglyphics, Hebrew, Arabic, Gothic blackletter and Asian brushwork — is here transformed into something raw, immediate and emotionally charged. In “Cartoon Stone,” the artist departs from his more rigidly structured text-based compositions and instead delivers a frenetic, gestural image that feels almost autobiographical in its intensity.*

*The wide, aggressive strokes, explosive linear movement and heavily worked surface create a sense of urgency and psychological depth. The large, animated eyes emerge from a storm of mark-making — at once confrontational and vulnerable — anchoring the composition in a way that is both figurative and abstract. This tension between control and release is a defining characteristic of RETNA’s most important works.*

*Works on paper of this caliber — particularly artist’s proofs — are widely regarded by serious collectors as among the most desirable expressions of the artist’s hand. With only two APs produced, this example represents an extraordinary level of rarity within RETNA’s market.*

*RETNA’s rise from the streets of Los Angeles to international blue-chip recognition has been nothing short of meteoric. His works have been exhibited globally and are held in major private and institutional collections, and his collaborations across art, fashion and music have firmly positioned him as one of the most influential visual artists of his generation.*

*The importance of the IDEM Paris imprimatur cannot be overstated. Prints produced at this historic studio are universally recognized for their museum-quality execution and their significance within the secondary market. Combined with the extreme rarity of the artist’s proof designation, this work stands as a true collector’s piece.*

*This is not simply a lithograph — it is a museum-grade graphic work that captures RETNA at his most expressive and unrestrained.*

*An exceptional blue-chip investment opportunity. Works of this scale, rarity and technical importance are becoming increasingly difficult to acquire.*

*Available for immediate acquisition through APC ART.*
MIA. ATL. NYC. LA. LONDON. PARIS. TOKYO.

Provenance

Included with the work will be a coa from APC ART, guaranteeing the authenticity of the work in perpetuity.  

Condition

The work is in mint condition, has been stored flat to archival standard(s).