Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Fenbufen
Summary
Fenbufen is a 2012 woodcut spot print by Manifold Editions in an edition of 55, printed on 410gsm Somerset White Paper. A six-inch four-spot composition measuring 18 x 18 inches, it is one of the final woodcut spots Manifold released that retrospective year, paired in scale and format with Maltohexaose.
Why It Matters
The larger six-inch, four-spot format gives Fenbufen a bolder grid presence than the two-inch single-spot prints in the same series. Rendered as a woodcut rather than screenprint, it foregrounds the physical relief of the medium. With only 55 impressions, it is a contained edition within Hirst's broader spot production.
Collector Perspective
Collectors drawn to the spots' pure colour will appreciate the four-spot arrangement, which reads as a compact essay in chromatic relationships. Signed on the front and numbered on the reverse, the edition of 55 places it among the scarcer spot editions. Its square 18 x 18 inch format pairs naturally with Maltohexaose for those assembling a matched set.
Historical Context
Like all Hirst spots, the title references a pharmacological compound, tying the vibrant colour field to his enduring theme of medicine and mortality. Manifold Editions produced these woodcuts as part of a deliberate series, with Fenbufen and Maltohexaose named as the two six-inch four-spots that closed out the run alongside the smaller Esculetin.
FAQ
What format is Fenbufen?
It is a six-inch four-spot woodcut measuring 18 x 18 inches on 410gsm Somerset White Paper.
What is the edition size?
It was published by Manifold Editions in an edition of 55 in 2012.
How does it differ from Esculetin?
Fenbufen is a larger six-inch four-spot composition, whereas Esculetin is a smaller two-inch single-spot landscape print.
Where is it signed?
Each print is signed on the front and numbered on the reverse.
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.