With a flamboyant personality and penchant for self-promotion, Damien Hirst is perhaps the best-known British artist living today. Born in Bristol in 1965 but growing up in Leeds, Hirst had a lackluster early career; his work as a student at Goldsmiths School of Art has been described as undistinguished. But in 1988 he made a name for himself by organizing Freeze, an exhibition of student work that would later be considered the origin of the influential Young British Artists or YBA’s, a loosely affiliated group of Hirst and his peers such as Jake and Dinos Chapman, Tracey Emin and Sarah Lucas who would dominate the British art world in the 1990s. Having maintained a preoccupation with the concept of death from an early age, Hirst has utilized preserved, dead animals as the primary material in several works, most notably The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (1991), a tiger shark cadaver suspended in a tank of formaldehyde solution. A work based on similar artistic imperatives, Mother and Child (Divided) (1993), comprising four tanks each containing one-half of a severed cow and her calf, won him the prestigious Turner Prize in 1995. Hirst also created a satirical film Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable documenting fake shipwreck art that also fetched international attention. Among others of his widely collected pieces are his colorful series such as Spot paintings, Butterfly paintings, and Spin paintings. The artist’s works belong to numerous museums worldwide, including the Tate Modern, London, the Astrup Fearnley Collection, Oslo, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. In September 2008, Hirst made the unprecedented and historic decision to bypass the traditional art gallery model and sell more than 200 works at Sotheby’s New York, ultimately surpassing the sale’s high estimate of $177.6 million with a total of $200.7 million. According to Sotheby’s Mei Moses, the average annual return for Damien Hirst is 0.6%, with 88.7% of works increasing in value.

Damien Hirst

Prints & Multiples

Damien Hirst b. 1965 Shark Spin signed in black felt-tip pen, also with the artist's stamped signature verso acrylic on shaped wove paper sheet (approx.): 480 by 660 mm. 18⅞ by 26 in. Executed in 2009, this example is a variant made in collaboration with the artist and Pinchuk Art Centre, Kyiv, to celebrate the opening of Requiem, with the artist's blindstamp and inkstamp verso.

shark spin

Damien Hirst b. 1965 The Last Supper each signed in pencil the complete set, comprising 13 screenprints in colours on wove paper each sheet (approx.): 1535 by 1016 mm. 60⅜ by 40 in. Executed in 1999, this set is from the edition of 150, printed by Coriander Press, published by Paragon Press.

the last supper

Damien Hirst b. 1965 The Secrets (H14) each signed in pencil on a label affixed to the reverse and numbered variously the complete set, comprising eight laminated giclée prints in colours on aluminium composite panels, each contained in the original packaging each: approx. 1200 by 930 mm. 47¼ by 36⅝ in. Executed in 2024, this set is numbered variously from the editions ranging from 312 to 578, published by Heni Editions. (8 prints)

the secrets (h14)

Damien Hirst b. 1965 Courage (H9-2), from Virtues signed in pencil on a label affixed to the reverse and numbered 224/760 laminated giclée print in colours on aluminium composite panel overall: 1200 by 960 mm. 47⅜ by 38 in. Executed in 2021, this example is number 224 from the edition of 760, published by Heni Editions.

View 1 of Lot 27: Courage (H9-2), from Virtues

courage (h9-2), from virtues

Damien Hirst b. 1965 I Love You (Gold Leaf, Oriental Gold, Cool Gold) signed in pencil and numbered I/XIV screenprint and 2-colour foil block on Somerset Satin wove paper sheet: 1003 by 700 mm. 39½ by 27½ in. Executed in 2015, this impression is number 1 from the edition of 14, published by Paul Stolper Gallery.

View 1 of Lot 23: I Love You (Gold Leaf, Oriental Gold, Cool Gold)

i love you (gold leaf, oriental gold, cool gold)

Damien Hirst b. 1965 Shark Spin with the artist's stamped signature verso acrylic on shaped wove paper sheet (approx.): 480 by 660 mm. 18⅞ by 26 in. Executed in 2009, this example is a variant made in collaboration with the artist and Pinchuk Art Centre, Kyiv, to celebrate the opening of Requiem, with the artist's blindstamp and inkstamp verso.

Damien Hirst b. 1965 Nūr Jahān (H10-2), from The Empresses signed and numbered 2346/3041 on a label affixed to the reverse laminated giclèe print on aluminium composite panel, screenprinted with glitter, contained in the original packaging panel: 1000 by 1000 mm. 39⅜ by 39⅜ in. Executed in 2022, this work is number 2346 from the edition of 3041 published by Heni Editions.

View 1 of Lot 26: Nūr Jahān (H10-2), from The Empresses

nūr jahān (h10-2), from the empresses

Damien Hirst b. 1965 Theodora (H10-3), from The Empresses signed and numbered 2346/3315 on a label affixed to the reverse laminated Giclèe print on aluminium composite panel, screenprinted with glitter, contained in the original packaging panel: 1000 by 1000 mm. 39⅜ by 39⅜ in. Executed in 2022, this work is number 2346 from the edition of 3315, published by Heni Editions.

View 1 of Lot 29: Theodora (H10-3), from The Empresses

theodora (h10-3), from the empresses

Damien Hirst b. 1965 Wu Zetian (H10-1), from The Empresses signed and numbered 2346/2853 on a label affixed to the reverse laminated giclèe print on aluminium composite panel, screenprinted with glitter, contained in the original packaging panel: 1000 by 1000 mm. 39⅜ by 39⅜ in. Executed in 2022, this work is number 2346 from the edition of 2853, published by Heni Editions.

View 1 of Lot 22: Wu Zetian (H10-1), from The Empresses

wu zetian (h10-1), from the empresses

Eternal Belief (Crystal Clear) by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=damien+hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2017.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Crystal Sculpture (Lost wax).</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Editions of 20.</li></ul>

Eternal Belief (Crystal Clear) 

All You Need is Love, Love Love <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/collectibles?query=signed&amp;locale=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">signed</a> print by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?waysToBuy=buyNow&amp;query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2010.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Silkscreen with diamond dust.</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Edition of 50.</li></ul>

All You Need is Love, Love, Love 

Eternal Love (Clear and Gold),&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2017.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Clear crystal, gold stamped.</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 50.</li></ul>

Eternal Love (Clear and Gold)

The Empresses set, by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2022.<ul><li>Sold as a set of 5.</li><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Laminated giclée print on aluminum composite, screen printed with diamond dust.</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>In matching edition numbers.</li></ul>

The Empresses Set

Cathedral Print: Duomo by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2007.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Silkscreen with glaze and pearlized colors.</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 50.</li></ul>

Cathedral Print | Duomo

The Virtues <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/collectibles?query=signed&amp;locale=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">signed</a> prints by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2021.<ul><li>Sold as a set of 8.</li><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Laminated Giclée print on aluminum composite panel.</li><li>Signed and numbered on label on the verso.</li></ul>

The Virtues Set

Flumequine by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2007.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Etching on paper.</li><li>Hand-signed by artist.</li><li>Part of an edition of 75.</li></ul>

Flumequine

<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien%20Hirst&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a> produced this album design exclusively for the heralded UK music group The Hours in 2009.<ul><li>After Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Records included.</li><li>Housed in a thick card gate-fold picture sleeve.</li><li>Accompanied by a picture booklet containing Damien Hirst Skull and Swirl artwork.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> Damien Hirst first came to public attention in London in 1988 when he conceived and curated "Freeze," an exhibition in a disused warehouse that showed his work and that of his friends and fellow students at Goldsmiths College. In the nearly quarter of a century since that pivotal show (which would come to define the Young British Artists), Hirst has become one of the most influential artists of his generation. His groundbreaking works include The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (1991), a shark in formaldehyde; Mother and Child Divided (1993) a four-part sculpture of a bisected cow and calf; and For the Love of God (2007), a human skull studded with 8,601 diamonds. In addition to his installations and sculptures, Hirst’s Spot paintings and Butterfly paintings have become universally recognized.

Damien Hirst Record Cover Art

Eternal Prayer (Clear and Gold),&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2017.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Clear crystal, gold stamped.</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 50.</li></ul>

Eternal Prayer (Clear and Gold)

Eternal Sleep Black, by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2017.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Crystal Sculpture on corian base (Lost wax).</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 35.</li></ul>

Eternal Sleep Black

Plate 6, from: The Souls on Jacob's Ladder Take Their Flight, by​ <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=%E2%80%8BDamien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">​Damien Hirst</a>, 2007.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Aquatint and photogravure in colors on wove paper.</li><li>Signed and numbered in pencil.</li><li>Part of an edition of 72.</li></ul>

Plate 6, from: The Souls on Jacob's Ladder Take Their Flight​ ​

The Beautiful Paintings | #632 Beautiful, Still, Quite Serene, Soul Quarrelling Tourbillon, by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2023.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Giclée print on poly-cotton artist canvas mounted on birch plywood stretcher.</li><li>Hand-signed in paint pen on the front.</li><li>Unique, AI-generated.</li></ul>

The Beautiful Paintings | #632 Beautiful, Still, Quite Serene, Soul Quarrelling Tourbillon Painting

Eternal Beauty by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2017.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Crystal Sculpture (lost wax).</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 50.</li></ul>

Eternal Beauty

A piece of the wallpaper from Pharmacy Restaurant, by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien%20Hirst&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>.<ul><li>Sold as a set of 2: 1 wallpaper piece and 1 auction catalog.</li><li>After Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Accompanied by Sotheby's auction catalog, 2004.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> For Pharmacy, Hirst’s restaurant in Notting Hill Gate in the late 1990s, Hirst himself designed wallpaper based on the pharmaceutical giant Merck’s handbook endpapers, showing pills and describing them. Merck’s objected, meaning Hirst withdrawing it as an artwork of wallpaper but had already plastered the restaurant with silver and gold versions, which remained. Later, for a sale in 2004, limited editions of the wallpaper were produced. This, the original, is rare thus. Auction catalog is complete with the full set of stickers intact. In this auction, Hirst sold the art work effects from the Pharmacy Bar and Restaurant in Notting Hill, London.

Pill Wallpaper from Pharmacy Restaurant

Eternal Beauty (Black and Gold) by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2017.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Crystal Sculpture (Lost wax).</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 50.</li></ul>

Eternal Beauty (Black and Gold)

Eternal Memento (Clear and Gold), by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Damien+Hirst&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a>, 2017.<ul><li>Damien Hirst (English, born 1965).</li><li>Clear crystal, gold stamped.</li><li>Signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 50.</li></ul>

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