Gauntlet Gallery
What is Cleon Peterson’s piece called “Justice”
Summary
A stark black-and-white Cleon Peterson lithograph in which a white statue of Lady Justice — scales raised in one hand, sword in the other — presides from a pedestal over a chaotic field of nude figures beating, dragging, stabbing and overpowering one another. The print turns the classical emblem of justice into a mute, indifferent idol standing above the very brutality it is meant to restrain, a defining theme in Peterson's body of work.
Why It Matters
Justice" distills the central argument that runs through Cleon Peterson's work: that the symbols and institutions of order are erected directly on top of, and often complicit in, human violence. By placing the universally recognized figure of blind Justice at the literal and compositional center while surrounding her with anonymous figures locked in assault, Peterson exposes the gap between civic ideals and lived brutality. The flat, high-contrast graphic language — descended from Greek vase painting, Hogarth and street art — makes the scene legible as both ancient frieze and contemporary protest image, which is why these compositions resonate with collectors drawn to politically charged figurative work.
Collector Perspective
This is a black-and-white lithograph hand-signed in pencil at the lower right; the edition size is not documented here, which is common for Peterson's gallery and collaborative releases and should be confirmed against the certificate or publisher record before purchase. Cleon Peterson prints sit in an accessible-to-mid tier of the contemporary street/political-art market, with the strongest demand for his signature limited editions and Shepard Fairey collaborations. The monochrome palette and Lady Justice subject make this a representative, on-message example of his iconography rather than a rare outlier, so condition (clean margins, no toning) and verified signature/numbering will drive value more than the image itself.
Historical Context
Cleon Peterson (b. 1973, Seattle) emerged in the 2010s with relentlessly graphic scenes of power, violence and social conflict rendered in a restricted black, white, red and gold palette. "Justice" belongs to this ongoing meditation on authority and morality, recasting the Roman-derived allegory of Lady Justice — scales and sword, traditionally blindfolded — within his frieze-like compositions of struggling bodies. The work draws openly on classical Greek vase painting and on moralizing print traditions such as Hogarth, while its protest-image directness reflects Peterson's roots in street art and his frequent collaborations with Shepard Fairey. Exact year of issue is not documented here.
FAQ
What does this print depict?
A white statue of Lady Justice holding scales and a sword stands on a pedestal at the center, surrounded by Cleon Peterson's characteristic nude figures fighting, beating, dragging and stabbing one another — justice presiding over, and implicated in, human violence.
What is the medium?
It is a lithograph, printed in stark black and white.
Is it signed and numbered?
The print is hand-signed in pencil at the lower right. An edition number is not documented in the information provided and should be confirmed against the certificate of authenticity or publisher record.
What is the edition size?
The edition size is unknown based on the information available here; buyers should verify it before purchase.
Who is Cleon Peterson?
Cleon Peterson (b. 1973, Seattle) is an American artist known for flat, high-contrast scenes of violence, power and social conflict that draw on Greek vase painting, Hogarth and street art. He is a frequent collaborator with Shepard Fairey.
Related Works
About the Artist
Cleon Peterson (b. 1973, Seattle) is an American artist known for stark, high-contrast scenes of violence, power and social conflict, rendered in a flat, limited palette of black, white, red and gold. His chaotic compositions of fighting, clubbing and writhing figures expose the abuse of power and the brutality beneath civilization’s surface, drawing on classical Greek vase painting, Hogarth and street art. A frequent collaborator with Shepard Fairey, he shows internationally; his prints, sculptures and editions are widely collected in the urban-contemporary market.
Collecting Cleon Peterson at Gauntlet Gallery
Where can I buy authentic Cleon Peterson prints?
Gauntlet Gallery offers an extensive, authenticated inventory of Cleon Peterson prints and contemporary editions, with new drops added regularly. Browse the current collection at gauntlet.gallery.
How does Gauntlet Gallery ensure authenticity?
Gauntlet Gallery is built on curation, authenticity and transparency — every work is vetted and its provenance, edition details and condition are disclosed up front.
Does Gauntlet Gallery add new Cleon Peterson prints?
Yes. New drops are released regularly across Cleon Peterson and other leading artists; see gauntlet.gallery for the latest inventory.