Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
For The Love Of Comic Relief
Work Summary & Collector Notes
For the Love of Comic Relief is a 2013 lithograph in a portrait format of 24 x 20 inches, from an edition of 50, published by Other Criteria. It depicts Hirst's diamond-encrusted skull For the Love of God, wittily finished with a glittery red clown nose for the Comic Relief charity.
Collector notes: First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 50. Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
The print takes Hirst's most opulent memento-mori image and undercuts it with a Red Nose Day gag, letting the artist deliberately puncture the seriousness of his own icon. Created for charity, it fuses his skull iconography with self-directed humor, a rare comic turn in his otherwise death-preoccupied output.
Collector Perspective
Collectors value the piece for its charitable origin, its direct link to the celebrated diamond skull, and its accessible portrait scale. The Comic Relief association gives it a documented backstory. As a signed edition of 50, it offers a lighter, story-rich entry into Hirst's skull imagery.
Historical Context
The source, For the Love of God (2007), is a platinum cast of a human skull set with over 8,000 diamonds. This lithograph marked Hirst's third Comic Relief collaboration for Red Nose Day, translating a symbol of wealth and mortality into a fundraising gesture built around humor.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned lithograph
- Release date
- 2013
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Lithograph; catalog dimensions 24 x 20 inches.
- Edition details
- First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 50.
- Signature and marks
- Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Damien Hirst's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: Read as documented context rather than stated intent: The source, For the Love of God (2007), is a platinum cast of a human skull set with over 8,000 diamonds. This is an interpretive reading of the release context, not a statement of the artist's intent for this specific work. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2013 and attributes the edition to Other Criteria.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Other Criteria. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Damien Hirst — official site — Damien Hirst studio (Science Ltd.) · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official artist site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
- Damien Hirst — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Damien Hirst (Q294326) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
What image does it show?
Hirst's diamond-encrusted skull For the Love of God, with a glittery red Comic Relief nose added.
Why was it made?
It was created for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day, marking Hirst's third collaboration with the charity, with proceeds supporting fundraising.
What is the format and medium?
A lithograph in portrait orientation, 24 x 20 inches unframed, from an edition of 50.
Who published it?
Other Criteria, in 2013.
Related Damien Hirst Works
