Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Hell
Summary
Hell is a 2012 giclee print built from inkjet, glaze, and foilblock on Hahnemühle photo rag satin 310gsm, released in an edition of 55, signed and numbered. Co-published by Paul Stolper and Other Criteria, it measures 61.5 x 71cm at the sheet, with a 44.3 x 55.5cm image.
Why It Matters
Sharing the exact technical recipe and edition size as its companion Silver Tears, Hell reads as part of a coordinated print series. The foilblock and glaze layers give the work a jewel-like, almost reliquary surface, a hallmark of Hirst's tension between beauty and mortality.
Collector Perspective
The satin photo rag stock differs subtly from its companion's ultra-smooth sheet, a detail worth noting when cataloguing. As with all foilblock editions, surface integrity drives desirability. Collectors should confirm the Paul Stolper and Other Criteria publishing line, the pencil signature, and that the reflective foil is unmarked.
Historical Context
The work belongs to Hirst's Other Criteria print output of the early 2010s, a period when he leaned heavily on layered, tactile printing methods. The Paul Stolper partnership specialized in exactly this kind of process-rich edition, distinguishing these prints from standard pigment reproductions.
FAQ
What paper is Hell printed on?
Hahnemühle photo rag satin 310gsm, using inkjet, glaze, and foilblock.
Is it signed?
Yes, each of the 55 impressions is signed and numbered.
How does it relate to Silver Tears?
Both are 2012 Paul Stolper and Other Criteria editions of 55 using the same inkjet-glaze-foilblock process, suggesting a companion series.
What are its dimensions?
The sheet is 61.5 x 71cm and the printed image is 44.3 x 55.5cm.
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.