Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
H9-2 Courage (Timed Edition)
Summary
H9-2 Courage is part of Damien Hirst's The Virtues, a 2021 HENI Editions series drawn from his Cherry Blossom paintings. This 120 x 96 cm laminated giclée on aluminium composite panel renders layered blossoms across a bright ground. Released as a timed edition, it is hand signed and numbered on the label, with a recorded edition of 760.
Why It Matters
Courage carries one of the lower recorded counts among the eight Virtues, making it relatively scarcer within the set. The series marked HENI's translation of Hirst's acclaimed Cherry Blossoms into accessible large-format prints, pairing his most joyful painting series of the 2020s with the moral vocabulary of Bushido.
Collector Perspective
With a recorded 760 impressions, Courage sits toward the scarcer end of The Virtues, a factor collectors weigh alongside title appeal. Original HENI pricing was 3,000 dollars plus VAT. The large aluminium panel hangs without glass; buyers should confirm lamination is intact and corners are undamaged before purchase.
Historical Context
Hirst's Cherry Blossoms were unveiled as large paintings at the Fondation Cartier in Paris in 2021, praised as a return to pure painterly pleasure. The Virtues assigns each print a Bushido virtue; Courage evokes the samurai ideal of valor, tying Hirst's blossoms to a code of disciplined resolve.
FAQ
How scarce is Courage relative to the series?
Its recorded edition of 760 is among the lower counts in the eight-title Virtues series.
What is the medium?
A laminated giclée on aluminium composite panel, 120 x 96 cm.
Is it hand signed?
Yes, each impression is hand signed and numbered by Hirst on the label.
What does the title reference?
Courage is one of the virtues of Bushido, the samurai ethical code that names all eight prints in the series.
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.