Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Chlordiazepoxide 5mg 24 Capsules
Summary
Chlordiazepoxide 5mg 24 Capsules is a 2014 sculpture in polyurethane resin with Tri pigments, editioned at 30 and measuring 54 x 27 x 19 cm with a 22 cm diameter cap. Numbered, signed and dated in the cast and published by Paul Stolper Gallery, it renders a prescription capsule at commanding scale.
Why It Matters
Chlordiazepoxide is a sedative associated with anxiety treatment, and Hirst's choice foregrounds medicine's role in managing the mind as well as the body. The work's large dimensions and rich pigmentation give a small clinical object real physical authority, extending his inquiry into how pharmaceuticals shape emotional and existential experience.
Collector Perspective
One of the larger capsule sculptures in the 2014 series, this edition-of-30 multiple offers strong sculptural presence. The Tri-pigment coloring and resin clarity are central to its appeal, so surface condition matters. Cast-in numbering, signing and dating are the authentication anchors; collectors should confirm the full clinical title and dimensions against records.
Historical Context
Produced with Paul Stolper Gallery in 2014, the resin capsule and tablet works each appropriate a genuine drug, complete with dosage and count. The named medications, ranging from common remedies to prescription sedatives, connect the sculptures to Hirst's Pharmacy lineage and his long-running framing of the drug as a modern object of trust.
FAQ
How large is this sculpture?
It measures 54 x 27 x 19 cm, with the cap alone at 22 cm in diameter, making it one of the larger capsule works.
What medication does it depict?
Chlordiazepoxide, a sedative, rendered as an enlarged capsule with dosage and count in the title.
What pigments were used?
The cast uses Tri pigments for its coloration within the polyurethane resin.
How is it signed?
Numbered, signed and dated in the cast, in an edition of 30.
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.