Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Maltohexaose
Summary
Maltohexaose is a 2012 woodcut spot print from Manifold Editions in an edition of 55, printed on 410gsm Somerset White Paper. A six-inch four-spot composition at 18 x 18 inches, it is the twin in scale and format to Fenbufen and one of the last woodcut spots Manifold released during that retrospective year.
Why It Matters
The square four-spot grid makes Maltohexaose one of the more graphically assertive prints in the woodcut spot series. Translating Hirst's spots into hand-cut relief rather than screenprint gives the colour a different physicality. At 55 impressions, it is a modest, controlled edition compared with the artist's headline spot runs.
Collector Perspective
This print pairs directly with Fenbufen, and collectors assembling the series often seek both six-inch four-spots together. The front signature and verso numbering are standard for the series. Its appeal lies in the balance of pure colour and the tactile woodgrain of the medium; look for a clean, full-margin Somerset sheet and legible edition numbering.
Historical Context
The title references a pharmacological sugar compound, keeping Maltohexaose within Hirst's spot-as-pharmacy conceit that connects vivid abstraction to medicine's promise against decay. Manifold Editions' woodcut spot series was a defined project, and Maltohexaose, Fenbufen and Esculetin were framed as its concluding trio, giving it a clear place in the sequence.
FAQ
What size is Maltohexaose?
It is a six-inch four-spot woodcut measuring 18 x 18 inches on 410gsm Somerset White Paper.
How many were made?
Manifold Editions produced it in an edition of 55 in 2012.
Is it a companion to another print?
Yes. It shares its six-inch four-spot format and 18 x 18 inch scale with Fenbufen.
How is it authenticated as an edition?
Each print is signed on the front and numbered on the reverse.
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.