Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Lepidine
Summary
"Lepidine" is a Damien Hirst spot screenprint, 980 x 760 mm, produced as a silkscreen with metallic silver in a signed and numbered edition of 150. Built from 24 colors over an underprint of white, silver and a glaze, it belongs to the vivid metallic run of Hirst's most recognizable Spot series.
Why It Matters
The Spots are the design most closely identified with Hirst, and "Lepidine" pushes the series toward greater surface drama. The metallic silver texture is juxtaposed against smooth, pure spot color, demonstrating the mutability of the format. Among the boldest and most vibrant spot prints, it treats the grid as a vehicle for contrast and optical impact.
Collector Perspective
An edition of 150 offers wider availability than Hirst's etchings, while the metallic silver treatment marks it as a distinctive variant rather than a standard spot print. The 24-color build with a silver underprint is a technical selling point. Collectors should confirm the signature, edition number and Other Criteria provenance, and inspect the metallic layer for condition.
Historical Context
Hirst's Spot paintings, begun in the late 1980s, became his signature contribution to a systematic, seemingly mechanical mode of color abstraction. The pharmaceutical naming convention, drawn from chemical compounds, runs throughout the series; "Lepidine" continues that scheme. These metallic spot prints represent a later, more materially ambitious chapter of the ongoing project.
FAQ
What makes "Lepidine" distinctive among spot prints?
It is a silkscreen with metallic silver, built from 24 colors over a white, silver and glaze underprint, giving it a textured, high-contrast surface.
What is the edition size?
An edition of 150, signed and numbered.
Why is it named after a chemical compound?
Hirst's spot works follow a naming convention drawn from chemical and pharmaceutical compounds.
What are the dimensions?
980 x 760 mm.
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.