Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Dequalinium Chloride
Summary
'Dequalinium Chloride' is a 2016 woodcut from Damien Hirst's spot works, published by Paragon Press. Titled after a pharmaceutical compound, it renders his signature grid of colored dots through the tactile, hand-cut woodcut process. The sheet measures 87.8 x 106.6 cm, signed and numbered on the reverse in an edition of 55.
Why It Matters
Hirst's spot paintings are among the most recognizable images in contemporary art, and naming each after a chemical anchors them to his pharmaceutical themes. Translating the spots into woodcut introduces the grain and physicality of a traditional printmaking medium, giving the familiar motif a handmade texture.
Collector Perspective
The edition of 55 and the woodcut medium set this apart from Hirst's more common spot screenprints. Collectors drawn to the spot iconography, or to woodcut as a technique, will value the tactile surface and the chemical-compound title that ties it directly to his broader pharmaceutical project.
Historical Context
The spot works span Hirst's entire career, each titled after a chemical to underline his fascination with medicine, order, and control. The woodcut spots issued through Paragon Press extended this vocabulary into relief printmaking, pairing rigorous grid composition with the irregularity inherent to carved blocks.
FAQ
What is the medium?
It is a woodcut spot print, published by Paragon Press, giving Hirst's dot motif a hand-cut, textured surface.
Why is it named after a chemical?
Hirst titles his spot works after pharmaceutical and chemical compounds, reinforcing the link between the spots and his medical themes.
What are the dimensions and edition?
The sheet is 87.8 x 106.6 cm, signed and numbered on the reverse in an edition of 55.
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.