Gauntlet Gallery
What is Cleon Peterson’s piece called “End Of Empire, Amphora (Black)”
Summary
A stark white silhouette of a classical Greek amphora set against a deep black ground, its central frieze filled with Cleon Peterson's signature nude figures locked in violent struggle — bodies grappling, striking and writhing in a brutal scrum that mimics ancient black-figure vase painting. It is the black colorway of Peterson's "End of Empire" amphora prints, where the language of antiquity becomes a vehicle for his ongoing study of civilization's collapse into violence.
Why It Matters
This print is one of Peterson's clearest fusions of his subject matter and his sources: he literally reprints his fighting figures onto the form of a Greek vessel, the very object that carried such scenes across antiquity. By framing modern brutality inside the silhouette of an amphora, Peterson argues that the abuse of power and the violence beneath order are not new but cyclical — empires rise and fall on the same human cruelty. The reduction to pure black and white amplifies the graphic, almost heraldic punch of the imagery, making it one of the most iconic and recognizable motifs in his print catalog.
Collector Perspective
A small screen-print edition of just 24, hand-signed and numbered by the artist, from Peterson's "End of Empire" amphora group. The tiny edition size puts it well below his more common 100-plus print runs, which makes the black colorway genuinely hard to source on the secondary market. The amphora/vase motif is among the most collected images in Peterson's body of work, so demand is steady, but the scarcity means clean signed examples surface infrequently. A strong piece for a collector who wants a defining Peterson image rather than a wall-filler.
Historical Context
Made in 2018, this print belongs to Peterson's mature "End of Empire" series, in which he repeatedly turned to ancient Greek and Roman imagery — vases, amphorae, sirens and classical figures — to frame his recurring themes of power, conflict and societal decline. The work draws directly on Greek black-figure and white-ground vase painting, which Peterson cites alongside Hogarth and street art as core influences. The series coincided with a politically charged period in which his work about authority, mob violence and the fragility of civilization resonated widely.
FAQ
What does this print depict?
It shows a white silhouette of a classical Greek amphora against a black background, with a central band of nude figures locked in violent struggle — fighting, grappling and falling — rendered in the flat, graphic style of ancient black-figure vase painting.
What is the edition size?
The edition is limited to just 24 prints, making it one of Peterson's smaller and scarcer runs.
Is it signed and numbered?
Yes. Like Peterson's editioned prints, it is hand-signed and numbered by the artist, with the signature in the lower corner.
What medium and series is this?
It is a screen print (silkscreen) from 2018, part of Cleon Peterson's 'End of Empire' amphora group. This is the black colorway.
Who is Cleon Peterson?
Cleon Peterson (b. 1973, Seattle) is an American artist known for stark, high-contrast scenes of violence and power struggle in a flat black, white, red and gold palette. He draws on classical Greek vase painting, Hogarth and street art, and 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.