Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Aurous Iodide
Summary
Aurous Iodide (2009) is a signed and numbered screenprint by Damien Hirst from an edition of 150, measuring 95 x 76 cm. Built from 24 colours over an underprint of white, gold and a glaze, it belongs to Hirst's spot vocabulary, its scientific title drawn from the chemical-compound naming system that runs through his practice.
Why It Matters
Aurous Iodide exemplifies the technical ambition of Hirst's spot-related screenprints, layering 24 colours over a metallic gold and glaze base for depth and sheen most prints cannot achieve. The compound title extends his long-running strategy of naming works after pharmaceutical and chemical substances, linking the clinical grid to the language of science.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 150, Aurous Iodide is more available than Hirst's tightest editions but remains a signed, numbered work with a demanding 24-colour, gold-underprinted production. That material complexity, combined with the recognizable spot idiom and chemistry-derived title, gives it strong appeal for collectors seeking a technically rich example of the series.
Historical Context
Produced in 2009, Aurous Iodide continues Hirst's spot project, begun in the late 1980s, in which uniform colored dots and scientifically derived titles evoke the ordered language of pharmacology and chemistry. The gold underprint and glaze reflect the elevated production values Hirst brought to his mature print editions.
FAQ
How many colours are in the print?
It features 24 colours over an underprint of white, gold and a glaze.
What is the edition size?
It is a signed and numbered edition of 150, sized 95 x 76 cm.
Where does the title come from?
Aurous iodide is a chemical compound; Hirst frequently titles works after chemical and pharmaceutical substances.
What series does it belong to?
It relates to Hirst's spot works, which pair uniform color with science-derived titles.
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.