Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Nifedipine
Summary
Nifedipine is a 2012 woodcut spot from Manifold Editions in an edition of 55, with a compact sheet size of 6 x 6 inches. A two-inch spot rendered as a hand-cut woodcut, it is one of the smallest-format prints in Hirst's woodcut spot series and is titled after a pharmacological compound.
Why It Matters
The intimate 6 x 6 inch square makes Nifedipine one of the most concentrated expressions of the spot idea, a single disc of colour presented with graphic economy. The woodcut medium lends physicality to what is often a flat motif, and the edition of 55 places it among the scarcer, hand-editioned works in Hirst's print catalogue.
Collector Perspective
Its small footprint makes Nifedipine one of the more accessible and easily displayed entries in the woodcut spot series, attractive to collectors building a group or seeking a single representative example. The pharmaceutical title ties it to the wider theme. Look for front signature, verso numbering, and a clean square sheet with intact corners.
Historical Context
Nifedipine is a real cardiovascular medication, and the choice of title continues Hirst's practice of naming spots after pharmacological drugs, reinforcing his meditation on medicine's fight against bodily decay. The woodcut series from Manifold Editions reframes the spot as a relief print, connecting Hirst's contemporary motif to a traditional printmaking lineage.
FAQ
How large is Nifedipine?
It is a two-inch woodcut spot on a small 6 x 6 inch square sheet.
What is the edition size?
Manifold Editions produced it in an edition of 55 in 2012.
Is the title a real drug?
Yes. Nifedipine is a genuine pharmacological compound, consistent with Hirst's practice of naming spots after medicines.
Why choose a woodcut for a spot?
The woodcut gives the spot a hand-cut, tactile relief surface distinct from Hirst's flat screenprinted spot editions.
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.