Gauntlet Gallery
What is Cleon Peterson’s piece called “Rule Of Law 1 (Red)”
Summary
A panoramic red-and-black screen print depicting a chaotic street brawl: dozens of identical faceless figures beat, club, drag and trample one another across a stark architectural setting of buildings, fences and pavement. Rendered entirely in Peterson's signature flat red, black and white palette, "Rule Of Law 1 (Red)" extends his ongoing examination of mob violence and the collapse of civic order into anonymous, sanctioned brutality.
Why It Matters
The print distills Cleon Peterson's central thesis — that the thin veneer of "civilization" and law conceals raw, organized violence — into a single horizontal frieze that reads like a modern descendant of Greek vase painting and Hogarth's moral street scenes. The wide cinematic format, the repetition of interchangeable aggressors and victims, and the limited high-contrast palette make the brutality feel systemic rather than personal, an indictment of how authority and the crowd enforce order through force. It is a strong, legible example of the artist's mature street-and-classical visual language.
Collector Perspective
Released in 2022 as a screen print in a tight edition of 18, this is among the scarcer Peterson editions to reach the market, and the small run plus the dramatic wide-format composition make it desirable to collectors who already own his more common 100–150 piece editions. Peterson editions are typically hand-signed and numbered by the artist; buyers should confirm signature and numbering with the seller and request the COA where available. The red colorway is the most associated with his brand identity, which supports demand. As a low-edition work it sits a step above his open and standard runs in collectibility, though it remains accessible relative to his unique paintings.
Historical Context
By 2022 Cleon Peterson (b. 1973, Seattle) had established a consistent body of prints translating his gallery paintings of violence, power and social conflict into editioned form. Working from a vocabulary drawn from classical Greek vase painting, Hogarth's moralizing scenes and contemporary street art — and shaped by his frequent collaborations with Shepard Fairey — he uses a deliberately limited red/black/white palette to stage allegories of mob brutality and the abuse of power. "Rule Of Law 1 (Red)" belongs to this period of mature, title-driven works that interrogate how law and order are themselves instruments of violence.
FAQ
What does this print depict?
A wide street-scene brawl in which crowds of faceless figures beat, club, drag and trample one another across an urban setting of buildings, fences and pavement — an allegory of mob violence and the brutal enforcement of order.
What is the edition size?
The edition is limited to 18 prints, making it one of Peterson's scarcer editioned works.
Is it signed and numbered?
Cleon Peterson editions are typically hand-signed and numbered by the artist. Confirm the signature, numbering and any certificate of authenticity with the seller before purchase.
What is the medium?
It is a hand-pulled screen print produced in 2022, in Peterson's signature flat red, black and white palette.
Who is Cleon Peterson?
Cleon Peterson (b. 1973, Seattle) is an American artist known for stark, high-contrast scenes of violence, power and social conflict. He draws on classical Greek vase painting, Hogarth and street art, and is a frequent Shepard Fairey collaborator.
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.