Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
H10-4 Suiko (The Empresses) (Timed Edition)
Work Summary & Collector Notes
H10-4 Suiko is a 2022 HENI Editions print from Damien Hirst's The Empresses series. Measuring 100 x 100 cm, it is a laminated giclée on aluminium composite finished with screen-printed glitter, arranging Hirst's kaleidoscopic symmetry into a radiant square. It is signed and numbered on the label and named for Japan's first reigning empress.
Collector notes: Legacy catalog label: Timed Edition; total quantity was not documented in the saved record. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
By naming a kaleidoscope work for Empress Suiko, Hirst extends his butterfly-derived symmetry into a global roster of women rulers. The glitter and aluminium construction position the piece as a wall object rather than a conventional paper print, reinforcing the series' emphasis on durability and light-responsive surface.
Collector Perspective
Suiko's timed-edition format means its final count was demand-driven, affecting how scarce it sits relative to the other four titles. Collectors focus on the square presentation, the reflective glitter, and label-based signature. Surface condition is paramount: glitter abrasion and lamination flaws are the primary factors affecting desirability and long-term stability.
Historical Context
Suiko reigned as Japan's first recorded empress regnant from 593, presiding over the early spread of Buddhism. Hirst's kaleidoscope motif originates in his butterfly paintings, which draw on Victorian specimen art and stained-glass geometry. Titling the work for Suiko frames its mirrored order as an emblem of foundational authority and cultural change.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print
- Release date
- 2022
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Giclee Print; catalog dimensions 100 x 100 cm; Materials: Laminated Giclée print on aluminium composite, screen printed with glitter.
- Edition details
- Legacy catalog label: Timed Edition; total quantity was not documented in the saved record.
- 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: No per-work artist statement is recorded for this edition. Any thematic reading should be treated as interpretation of the imagery, not a documented statement of the artist's intent. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2022 and attributes the edition to HENI Editions.
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 HENI 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 was Suiko?
Suiko was Japan's first recorded reigning empress, ruling from 593 CE, and lends her name to this print.
What is the medium?
A laminated giclée on aluminium composite panel, screen printed with glitter, 100 x 100 cm.
How is authenticity marked?
Each impression is hand signed and numbered by Hirst on the label.
Does it need framing under glass?
The aluminium panel and lamination are made to hang without glass, though care should be taken with the glitter surface.
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