Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
H9-3 Mercy (Timed Edition)
Summary
H9-3 Mercy belongs to Damien Hirst's The Virtues, HENI Editions, 2021. This 120 x 96 cm laminated giclée on aluminium composite panel translates his Cherry Blossom paintings into print, blooms dabbed across an open sky-toned field. Issued as a timed edition, it is hand signed and numbered on the label, with a recorded edition of 817.
Why It Matters
Mercy is one of eight Virtues that brought Hirst's Cherry Blossoms to a broad audience in editioned form. The series is significant for capturing the gestural energy of Hirst's paintings on a durable aluminium substrate, while the Bushido-derived titling gives each blossom composition a distinct conceptual identity.
Collector Perspective
Mercy's recorded 817 impressions place it in the middle range of The Virtues. HENI's original release price was 3,000 dollars plus VAT. Collectors value the large square-ish format, the label signature, and the aluminium panel's ready-to-hang construction. Lamination condition and surface cleanliness are the main factors affecting value.
Historical Context
The Cherry Blossoms, first shown in Paris in 2021, represented Hirst stepping back from conceptual detachment toward the sensory joy of paint. The Virtues names each print for a Bushido tenet; Mercy invokes compassion within the samurai code, layering an ethic of restraint over Hirst's abundant, celebratory blossoms.
FAQ
What is H9-3 Mercy?
A 2021 HENI Editions Cherry Blossom print by Damien Hirst, one of eight titles in The Virtues series.
What is the recorded edition size?
817, within a timed edition whose size was ultimately demand-limited.
What are the dimensions?
120 x 96 cm on an aluminium composite panel.
What was the original price?
3,000 dollars plus VAT at HENI's release.
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.