Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Gold Tears
Summary
Gold Tears is a 2012 giclee by Damien Hirst using inkjet, glaze and foilblock on Hahnemühle photo rag ultra smooth 305gsm. Published in an edition of 55 by Paul Stolper and Other Criteria, it presents a 69.4 x 55.5 cm image on an 86.5 x 71 cm sheet in portrait orientation, signed and numbered.
Why It Matters
Gold Tears leans into the reflective potential of the foilblock process, its title signalling a gold-keyed palette that heightens the shimmer of the metallic surface. Set in a tall portrait format, the kaleidoscopic butterfly-wing composition reads like a luminous devotional panel, epitomising how Hirst fuses ornamental beauty with an undertone of loss.
Collector Perspective
The large portrait sheet and gold-toned foilblock give Gold Tears commanding presence, a strength for collectors seeking a centrepiece. Edition of 55 with Paul Stolper / Other Criteria provenance is well regarded. The reflective foil surface is condition-sensitive, verify signature and numbering and inspect closely for abrasion, scuffing or foil loss.
Historical Context
Gold Tears sits within Hirst's kaleidoscopic butterfly works, which draw on rose-window symmetry and religious ornament while foregrounding mortality. The lachrymose title and gilded palette sharpen the beauty-and-grief tension central to his practice, extending the memento-mori vocabulary that has defined his career since the early 1990s.
FAQ
What does the title suggest?
Gold Tears signals a gold-keyed palette; the metallic foilblock amplifies the shimmering, luminous surface.
What is the medium?
Inkjet giclee with glaze and foilblock on Hahnemühle photo rag ultra smooth 305gsm.
What is the edition size?
55, published by Paul Stolper and Other Criteria, signed and numbered.
What are the dimensions?
Image 69.4 x 55.5 cm; sheet 86.5 x 71 cm, in portrait orientation.
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.