Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Eternal Rest
Summary
Eternal Rest (2009) is an etching from Damien Hirst's butterfly series, published by Other Criteria in a signed and numbered edition of 45. Measuring 47.3 x 39.2 cm, its finely rendered butterfly sits against black like a preserved specimen, the funerary title placing it squarely within Hirst's memento mori concerns.
Why It Matters
Eternal Rest is one of the most explicitly mortality-focused titles in the series, its funerary phrasing directly invoking death and the afterlife. The pinned, encased presentation reinforces the tension between beauty and finality that defines Hirst's butterflies, delivered here through the intimate discipline of etching.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 45, Eternal Rest is among the scarcer butterfly etchings. Its signature, numbering and Other Criteria provenance meet collector expectations. The pointed, elegiac title gives it strong thematic identity within the group, appealing to collectors who prize the memento mori dimension of Hirst's output.
Historical Context
Published in 2009 by Other Criteria, Eternal Rest belongs to a set of butterfly etchings whose titles span love, regeneration, freedom, spirituality and death. The butterfly has long served in art and literature as an emblem of the soul's passage, a tradition Hirst distills into this quietly funereal image.
FAQ
What is the edition size?
Eternal Rest was issued in a signed and numbered edition of 45.
What medium is it?
An etching, printed at 47.3 x 39.2 cm.
What theme does the title convey?
Its funerary phrasing directly evokes death and the afterlife, central to Hirst's memento mori vocabulary.
Who published the print?
Other Criteria, in 2009.
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.