Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
H10-2 Nūr Jahān (The Empresses) (Timed Edition)
Summary
H10-2 Nūr Jahān belongs to Damien Hirst's The Empresses series, published by HENI Editions in 2022. Named for the Mughal empress, this 100 x 100 cm laminated giclée on aluminium composite is finished with screen-printed glitter, translating Hirst's kaleidoscopic language into a mirrored, jewel-like field. Each impression is signed and numbered on the label.
Why It Matters
The Empresses marked Hirst's move to name kaleidoscope prints after five powerful women rulers, pairing his butterfly-wing motif with sovereign identity. The glitter surface and aluminium substrate push the work toward object rather than paper print, a deliberate materiality that distinguishes the 2022 timed editions from Hirst's earlier paper-based butterfly output.
Collector Perspective
As a timed edition, the run size was set by demand within a fixed window rather than a pre-announced number, so scarcity varies across the five titles. Collectors value the square format, the durable aluminium panel, and the label signature. Condition of the glitter layer and lamination is the key inspection point, as surface abrasion is difficult to remedy.
Historical Context
Nūr Jahān was the influential Mughal empress who wielded real political power in the early 17th century. Hirst's kaleidoscope works descend from his butterfly paintings, which reference Victorian specimen displays and stained-glass symmetry. Naming the series for empresses reframes that decorative symmetry as regal, aligning the mirrored composition with themes of authority and legacy.
FAQ
What is H10-2 made of?
It is a laminated giclée print on an aluminium composite panel, screen printed with glitter, measuring 100 x 100 cm.
How is it signed?
Each impression is hand signed and numbered by Damien Hirst on the label, per HENI Editions' standard for this series.
Why is it called Nūr Jahān?
The title honors the Mughal empress Nūr Jahān, one of five women rulers who name works in The Empresses series.
What is a timed edition?
The final edition size was determined by demand during a set sales window rather than being fixed in advance, so exact numbers vary by title.
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.