Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Isovanillin (First Edition)
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Isovanillin (First Edition) is a 2012 Manifold Editions woodcut featuring three-inch spots on a 19.5 x 25 cm sheet. The larger dot size means fewer, bolder spots per sheet, giving the composition a graphic, high-impact arrangement in which each colour reads strongly against the woodcut's relief surface.
Collector notes: First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 55. Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
The three-inch spots make Isovanillin one of the boldest small-format entries in the Manifold woodcut series. Larger dots emphasise colour and form over dense repetition, foregrounding the individual spot as a unit. The woodcut process gives each a tactile, hand-printed edge distinct from Hirst's flat screenprinted spots.
Collector Perspective
With three-inch spots, Isovanillin delivers strong graphic impact at compact scale, an appealing combination for collectors seeking presence without a large footprint. The edition of 55 supports scarcity. Verify signature and numbering, confirm the foil-free woodcut surface is clean and evenly inked, and retain the Manifold Editions documentation.
Historical Context
Isovanillin is a chemical compound related to vanillin, consistent with Hirst's system of naming spots after substances from scientific catalogues. The 2012 Manifold woodcuts reinterpret the enduring spot motif through relief printing, positioning even the boldest, larger-dot variants within the same conceptual and material framework.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print or object
- Release date
- 2012
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Woodcut; catalog dimensions 19.5 x 25 cm; Woodcut print with 3-inch spots.
- Edition details
- First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 55.
- Signature and marks
- Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering 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 2012 and attributes the edition to Manifold 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 Manifold 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
What makes Isovanillin distinct?
Its three-inch spots are larger than most Manifold woodcuts, yielding fewer, bolder dots and stronger graphic impact.
What is the medium?
A woodcut from Manifold Editions.
What is the edition size?
55 impressions.
What does the title mean?
Isovanillin is a chemical compound; Hirst titles spots after such substances.
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