Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Butterfly Rainbow (Small)
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Butterfly Rainbow (Small) is a 2020 Damien Hirst giclée print from HENI Editions, laminated on aluminium composite panel at 24.1 x 50 cm. Catalogued as H7-2, it was released as a timed charity edition in small and large formats, pairing Hirst's signature butterfly-wing motif with a rainbow, a symbol widely embraced during 2020.
Collector notes: Large; saved release record states an edition size of 3750. Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
Created as a charity edition, Butterfly Rainbow tied Hirst's iconic butterfly imagery to a moment of collective solidarity, with the rainbow reading as a message of hope. Its philanthropic purpose and instantly recognisable subject give it cultural resonance beyond the market, cementing its place in the story of art produced during the 2020 period.
Collector Perspective
The 24.1 x 50 cm small format (H7-2) is the compact companion to the larger 48.2 x 100 cm version (H7-1). As a charity release it was distributed relatively broadly, so condition drives desirability: verify the laminated aluminium panel is unmarked and the print is crisp. Its wide recognisability makes it a popular, approachable Hirst entry point.
Historical Context
Released in 2020, Butterfly Rainbow emerged from Hirst's long-running use of butterflies as emblems of beauty and mortality, here reframed as an uplifting rainbow. Issued by HENI Editions as a timed charity edition on laminated aluminium, it reflects both his enduring visual motifs and his willingness to mobilise his print program for charitable causes.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print
- Release date
- 2020
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Giclee Print; catalog dimensions 24.1 x 50 cm; Laminated Giclée print on aluminium composite panel.
- Edition details
- Large; saved release record states an edition size of 3750.
- Signature and marks
- Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering 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: Released in 2020, Butterfly Rainbow emerged from Hirst's long-running use of butterflies as emblems of beauty and mortality, here reframed as an uplifting rainbow. 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 2020 and attributes the edition to HENI Editions.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- 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 HENI Editions. 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 is the catalogue reference for the small version?
The small format is catalogued H7-2, while the large version is H7-1.
Was Butterfly Rainbow a charity edition?
Yes, it was released as a timed charity edition, connecting Hirst's butterfly imagery to a message of hope.
What sizes are available?
Two: the small at 24.1 x 50 cm (H7-2) and the large at 48.2 x 100 cm (H7-1).
What is the print surface?
It is a laminated giclée print on an aluminium composite panel, a rigid contemporary support.
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