Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Anarchy
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Anarchy is a 2017 silkscreen from Hirst's twelve-part 'Eat the Rich' series, published by Other Criteria in an edition of 150, signed and numbered, at 40 by 30 inches (1016 by 762 mm). The image depicts pharmaceutical packaging in which the drug's brand name is replaced by the word 'Anarchy', collapsing the language of medicine into the language of force.
Collector notes: The saved release record describes: Edition of 150. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
'Eat the Rich' extends Hirst's foundational fascination with pharmaceutical aesthetics, first seen in his early Medicine Cabinets. By substituting a violent term for a clinical brand, Anarchy weaponises the reassuring, minimalist design vocabulary of drug packaging, turning promises of health into implications of aggression. It is a sharp, legible entry in a conceptually unified suite.
Collector Perspective
Series completists prize 'Eat the Rich' as a set of twelve, and single sheets like Anarchy are often acquired to build toward the full run. At an edition of 150 on a clean, large silkscreen format, a signed and numbered impression with fresh colour and no handling creases is the target. Full-suite assemblies carry particular appeal for dedicated collectors.
Historical Context
Published by Other Criteria, Hirst's own imprint, in 2017, the series draws an explicit line to his thirteen-part Last Supper screenprints, another body of work that appropriated packaging design. Both projects channel what Hirst has called his obsession with the body and the medical industry attached to it, exuding confidence through pared-down, corporate-clean design.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned screenprint
- Release date
- 2017
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Screen Print; catalog dimensions 40 x 30 inches; Silkscreen print; 'Eat the Rich' is a new series of twelve screenprints that depicts pharmaceutical packaging in which the tablet's brand name has been replaced by a word implying violence or force; Similar to the thirteen-part 'Last Supper' screenprints, 'Eat the Rich' illustrates the artist's "obsession with the body" and the medical industry attached to it, in which confidence is exuded through minimalist designs that perpetuate "the modernist fantasy […] that everyone and everything can be cured.".
- Edition details
- The saved release record describes: Edition of 150.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Damien Hirst's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: Read as documented context rather than stated intent: Published by Other Criteria, Hirst's own imprint, in 2017, the series draws an explicit line to his thirteen-part Last Supper screenprints, another body of work that appropriated packaging design. This is an interpretive reading of the release context, not a statement of the artist's intent for this specific work. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2017 and attributes the edition to Other Criteria. The saved description also notes: Published by Other Criteria.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- The saved release description references: 'Eat the Rich' is a new series of twelve screenprints that depicts pharmaceutical packaging in which the tablet's brand name has been replaced by a word implying violence or force. Confirm any original sleeve, tube, box, or backing board copy by copy.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Other Criteria. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Damien Hirst — official site — Damien Hirst studio (Science Ltd.) · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official artist site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
- Damien Hirst — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Damien Hirst (Q294326) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
What series does Anarchy belong to?
It is part of Hirst's twelve-part 'Eat the Rich' series of screenprints.
What is the edition size?
It was published in an edition of 150, each signed and numbered.
Who published Anarchy?
It was published by Other Criteria, Hirst's own imprint.
What is the concept behind the image?
It depicts pharmaceutical packaging with the brand name replaced by a word implying force, here 'Anarchy'.
