Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Anatomy Of An Angel (White)
Summary
Anatomy of an Angel (White) is a 2012 resin sculpture, roughly 33 x 18.5 x 14 cm, from an edition of 50 produced by Other Criteria. It reduces Hirst's larger Carrara marble angel to a tabletop scale, with cross-sections cutting into the figure to reveal the anatomical structure beneath the skin.
Why It Matters
The work literalizes Hirst's science-versus-faith theme: a classical winged angel is peeled open to show muscle and bone, exposing that she is, anatomically, human after all. Rendered in white resin with the signature, title, and edition number etched by the artist, it distills a monumental sculpture into a collectible multiple.
Collector Perspective
As a three-dimensional edition rather than a print, this appeals to collectors seeking a Hirst object at domestic scale. The white resin version reads cleaner and more classical than the black, and the artist-etched signature and number provide integral provenance. Edition of 50 makes it a contained sculptural release.
Historical Context
The full-scale Anatomy of an Angel is a Carrara marble sculpture based on Alfred Boucher's L'Hirondelle (1920). By exposing anatomy within an idealized religious form, Hirst extends the anatomical-model tradition and his recurring collision of medical science with spiritual iconography into editioned sculpture.
FAQ
Is this a print or a sculpture?
It is a three-dimensional resin sculpture, a miniature edition of Hirst's larger marble Anatomy of an Angel.
How does the White differ from the Black version?
The two share the same form and edition structure but are cast in different colored resin, white and black, altering the visual and tonal reading.
Where is the signature?
The signature, title, and edition number are etched directly into the resin by the artist.
What is the source sculpture?
Hirst's Carrara marble Anatomy of an Angel, itself based on Alfred Boucher's L'Hirondelle (1920).
About the Artist
Damien Hirst (born 1965, Bristol) is a British artist and the most prominent figure of the Young British Artists (YBAs). Rising to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s, he built a practice around mortality, science, religion, and beauty — from formaldehyde-preserved animals to his Spot, Spin, and Butterfly (Kaleidoscope) series. Hirst is also one of the most prolific printmakers in contemporary art, releasing extensive signed editions through his own science-led studio and, more recently, the HENI imprint. His work has commanded record prices and defined the market for blue-chip contemporary editions.
Collecting Damien Hirst at Gauntlet Gallery
Which Damien Hirst prints should I collect?
Signed, numbered editions from his signature series — Spots, Butterflies/Kaleidoscope, Spins, Cherry Blossoms, and skull works — are the collectible core. Look for strong condition and the artist's pencil signature. Gauntlet Gallery prioritizes complete, well-documented impressions.
How is a Hirst print authenticated?
We sell Hirst works with documented provenance and the edition's signature and numbering; many carry HENI or studio documentation. Each piece is photographed exactly as it ships, including signature and edition details.
What drives value?
Series and image (iconic Spots and Butterflies lead), edition size, format and scale, condition, and provenance all drive value. Hand-signed, low-numbered, and diamond-dust or foilblock works command premiums.