Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Canon
Summary
Canon (First Edition, 2015) is a giclée with glaze published by Other Criteria in an edition of 50, measuring roughly 46 x 39 cm. It presents a symmetrical, kaleidoscopic arrangement of butterfly wings beneath a glossy glaze. Each print is signed and numbered.
Why It Matters
Canon extends Hirst's Kaleidoscope series, in which massed butterfly wings form mandala-like symmetry. The butterfly's long association with the soul and resurrection gives the ornamental pattern a deeper reading, aligning the work with Hirst's enduring inquiry into beauty, faith and mortality.
Collector Perspective
As a 2015 giclée in an edition of 50 with a 'First Edition' designation, Canon offers accessible entry into Hirst's butterfly kaleidoscopes. Its compact format and glazed surface suit intimate display and grouping with kin works like Beneficence and Miracle. Signature and numbering support its provenance.
Historical Context
Hirst's Kaleidoscope paintings began in 2001 with It's a Wonderful World, inspired by a Victorian tea tray and the symmetry of stained glass; his butterfly work dates to 1989. Canon carries that idiom into a glazed giclée edition through the artist's Other Criteria imprint.
FAQ
What is Canon's medium?
A giclée print with glaze, published by Other Criteria.
What imagery does it show?
A symmetrical kaleidoscope of butterfly wings, characteristic of Hirst's Kaleidoscope series.
What is the edition size?
Fifty, each signed and numbered.
How does it compare to Beneficence and Miracle?
All three are 2015 First Edition giclées of 50 from Hirst's Kaleidoscope work, sharing finish and compact scale.
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.