Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Glycine Cresol Red
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Glycine Cresol Red is a 2011 woodcut by Damien Hirst, published by Manifold Editions in an edition of 55 at 10 x 10 inches. Realized through carved wood blocks, it presents the artist's spot motif with the texture of relief printing. Its title combines chemical substances, following Hirst's practice of naming spot works after compounds used by the pharmaceutical industry.
Collector notes: The saved release record describes: Edition of 55. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
Published by Manifold Editions rather than Other Criteria, this woodcut broadens the spot series across publishers and reaffirms Hirst's early interest in printmaking and the multiple. The small 10-inch square format and edition of 55 make it an intimate, scarce example of the pharmaceutical spots that seduce through exuberant, non-repeating colour.
Collector Perspective
At 10 x 10 inches with an edition of 55, this is a compact, scarce woodcut ideal for close viewing or a grouped spot display. The relief medium and Manifold Editions imprint distinguish it from the more common silkscreens. Collectors should verify the signature and numbering and appreciate the labour-intensive process, in which each spot is individually inked before printing.
Historical Context
Hirst introduced the spot paintings in 1988 as a system of coloured spots in a grid, governed by the rule that each colour is used only once per work. He was drawn to printmaking and the multiple from the outset of his career. Titles derived from pharmaceutical compounds, like Glycine Cresol Red, give the exuberant colour a clinical, conceptual counterweight.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print or object
- Release date
- 2011
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Woodcut; catalog dimensions 10 x 10 inches; Referred to as his pharmaceutical paintings, Hirst invented the composition of coloured spots in a grid as a system offering endless possibilities with only one simple rule – for each work all colours could only be used once; The spot prints seduce through exuberant colours and are technically accomplished and labour-intensive as each spot needs to be inked individually before printing; 2-inch spot woodcut, printed on 410gsm Somerset White Paper, published by The Paragon Press in 2011.
- Edition details
- The saved release record describes: Edition of 55.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature 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: Hirst introduced the spot paintings in 1988 as a system of coloured spots in a grid, governed by the rule that each colour is used only once per work. 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 2011 and attributes the edition to Manifold Editions. The saved description also notes: 2-inch spot woodcut, printed on 410gsm Somerset White Paper, published by The Paragon Press in 2011.
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 Manifold Editions. 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
Who published this print?
It was published by Manifold Editions, distinct from Hirst's Other Criteria imprint.
What medium is it?
It is a woodcut, a relief-printing process, in an edition of 55.
What does the title mean?
It combines chemical substance names, following Hirst's convention of titling spot works after pharmaceutical compounds.
How large is it?
The print measures 10 x 10 inches, a compact square format.
