Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
H10-5 Taytu Betul (The Empresses) (Timed Edition)
Summary
H10-5 Taytu Betul closes Damien Hirst's The Empresses series for HENI Editions, 2022. This 100 x 100 cm laminated giclée on aluminium composite is screen printed with glitter, casting Hirst's kaleidoscopic symmetry into a luminous square field. Named for the Ethiopian empress, it is signed and numbered on the label.
Why It Matters
Taytu Betul completes a five-part meditation on women who held power across different civilizations, mapped onto Hirst's butterfly-wing symmetry. The glitter finish and aluminium panel give the print an object-like presence, distinguishing the 2022 editions from Hirst's earlier paper butterflies and reinforcing the series' theme of enduring authority.
Collector Perspective
As a timed edition, the run reflects demand within its window rather than a fixed cap, so scarcity is relative across the set. Collectors are drawn to the square format, the reflective surface, and the completeness appeal of owning the full five-title series. Glitter and lamination condition remain the decisive inspection criteria.
Historical Context
Taytu Betul was the Ethiopian empress and co-founder of Addis Ababa who helped resist Italian colonial expansion around the turn of the 20th century. Hirst's kaleidoscope works derive from his butterfly paintings and their debt to Victorian display cases and stained glass. The empress framing casts the mirrored geometry as a symbol of sovereignty and resistance.
FAQ
What is H10-5 Taytu Betul?
It is a 2022 HENI Editions kaleidoscope print by Damien Hirst, part of The Empresses series, named for the Ethiopian empress.
What are its material specs?
Laminated giclée on aluminium composite, screen printed with glitter, 100 x 100 cm.
Is it hand signed?
Yes, each impression is signed and numbered on the label.
Why collect the full Empresses set?
Owning all five named titles completes the series' narrative of women rulers rendered in Hirst's kaleidoscopic symmetry.
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.