Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
H10-1 Wu Zetian (The Empresses) (Timed Edition)
Summary
H10-1 Wu Zetian is part of Damien Hirst's 2022 Empresses series, a HENI timed edition. It is a laminated Giclee print on aluminium composite, screen-printed with glitter, measuring 100 x 100 cm and signed and numbered on the label. As a timed edition, its run size was set by demand within a fixed window rather than a pre-announced cap.
Why It Matters
The Empresses series adapts Hirst's kaleidoscopic butterfly compositions, naming each work for a powerful female historical ruler. Wu Zetian, China's only female emperor, lends her name to this square, glitter-screened print. The added glitter layer gives the surface a shifting, jewel-like brilliance that intensifies the symmetrical, stained-glass character of Hirst's kaleidoscope imagery.
Collector Perspective
The glitter screen-printing and square 100 x 100 cm format make H10-1 an especially decorative, light-catching work. Signature and numbering appear on the label, and as a timed edition its final population reflects launch-window demand. Named for the first Empress in the series, Wu Zetian appeals to collectors of Hirst's butterfly kaleidoscopes and to those drawn to its historical titling.
Historical Context
Hirst's butterfly and kaleidoscope works, begun in the 2000s, arrange real and rendered butterfly wings into radiant symmetrical patterns evoking cathedral windows. The 2022 Empresses editions bring that visual language to HENI's timed-edition model, adding glitter screen-printing and pairing each composition with the name of a formidable female ruler such as Wu Zetian.
FAQ
What makes H10-1 Wu Zetian distinctive?
It is a laminated Giclee on aluminium composite that is additionally screen-printed with glitter for a shifting, luminous surface.
Where is it signed?
It is signed and numbered on the label.
Is it a fixed-size edition?
No. It is a timed edition, so the run was determined by demand during a fixed sales window.
What are its dimensions?
The print measures 100 x 100 cm.
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.