Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
For The Love Of God (Lenticular)
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Released in 2012 in a substantial edition of 5,000, this lenticular print translates Hirst's diamond-encrusted platinum skull, For the Love of God , into a shifting optical object. Digitally printed on PETG plastic at 60 x 40 cm and co-published by Other Criteria and Paul Stolper, the lenticular technique animates the skull's pave-set surface as the viewer moves.
Collector notes: The saved release record describes: Edition of 5000. 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 original 2007 skull was among the most talked-about objects of contemporary art, reportedly the most expensive artwork made by a living artist at the time. This lenticular edition gives collectors an accessible, kinetic reference to that landmark sculpture. The illusion of depth is the point: the medium mirrors the way real diamonds catch and throw light.
Collector Perspective
At 5,000 copies this is one of the most widely available Hirst editions, so its appeal is iconographic rather than scarcity-driven. It functions as an entry point to the artist's memento mori vocabulary. Condition matters unusually here: PETG plastic scratches and the lenticular layer can delaminate, so pristine, unmarked examples with intact edges are the ones to hold.
Historical Context
The lenticular medium was framed by the publishers as the most advanced printing technique available in 2012, chosen specifically to convey the skull's diamond glory in a way flat print could not. It sits within Hirst's decade-long project of confronting mortality through luxury materials, extending the skull motif from a singular sculpture into a democratized, reproducible form.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Lenticular edition
- Release date
- 2012
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Lenticular; catalog dimensions 60 x 40 cm; The latest For the Love of God prints are made using the most advanced lenticular printing technique, creating an illusion of depth that shows the diamond skull in its full glory.
- Edition details
- The saved release record describes: Edition of 5000.
- 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 lenticular medium was framed by the publishers as the most advanced printing technique available in 2012, chosen specifically to convey the skull's diamond glory in a way flat print could not. 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 2012 and attributes the edition to Other Criteria. The saved description also notes: Published by Other Criteria and Paul Stolper.
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 is the edition size?
The lenticular was published in an edition of 5,000 in 2012 by Other Criteria and Paul Stolper.
What material is it printed on?
It is a digital print on PETG plastic, a rigid clear polymer, measuring roughly 60 x 40 cm (600 x 400 mm).
Why lenticular rather than a standard print?
The lenticular technique creates an illusion of depth and motion, letting the diamond skull appear to shift and sparkle as the viewer changes angle.
What condition issues should I watch for?
Because it is on plastic, surface scratches, edge chips, and any delamination of the lenticular layer significantly affect desirability.
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