Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Dark Black Heaven (Nite Time)
Summary
Dark Black Heaven (Nite Time) is a 2012 giclee by Damien Hirst, combining inkjet, glaze and foilblock on Hahnemühle photo rag ultra smooth 305gsm. Published in an edition of 55 by Paul Stolper and Other Criteria, it presents a 55.5 x 55.5 cm image on a 72.5 x 71 cm sheet, signed and numbered.
Why It Matters
The Heaven series pairs Hirst's butterfly-wing kaleidoscope motif with a darker, nocturnal register. Layering glaze and metallic foilblock over an archival inkjet base, the print achieves a deep, reflective surface that shifts with light, translating the artist's symmetrical wing compositions into a luminous, near-devotional object.
Collector Perspective
Edition of 55 with the Paul Stolper / Other Criteria imprint gives strong provenance. The generous sheet and dark, foil-enhanced palette make this a statement piece. Because the glaze and foilblock are integral, condition of the reflective surface is critical, buyers should confirm the signature, numbering, and that no foil abrasion is present.
Historical Context
Hirst's kaleidoscopic butterfly works descend from his 1991 In and Out of Love and echo rose windows and religious symmetry. The Heaven and Nite Time variants darken that vocabulary toward mortality and the sublime, extending the memento-mori thread that has run through his practice since the early 1990s.
FAQ
What is the medium?
Inkjet giclee with glaze and foilblock on Hahnemühle photo rag ultra smooth 305gsm.
What are the dimensions?
The image is 55.5 x 55.5 cm on a 72.5 x 71 cm sheet.
Is it signed?
Yes, signed and numbered from an edition of 55, published by Paul Stolper and Other Criteria.
What imagery does it use?
It draws on Hirst's kaleidoscopic butterfly-wing motif in a dark, nocturnal palette.
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.