Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Opium (First Edition)
Summary
Opium, 2000, is a full-colour Lambda print on archive paper, published by Eyestorm in an edition of 500. At a compact 43 by 48 cm, it is the most intimate of Hirst's pharmaceutical photographs here, naming its spot composition after one of history's oldest and most fraught medicinal substances.
Why It Matters
The title Opium reaches back to the origins of pharmacology and addiction alike, giving Hirst's clinical grid a darker undertow than his brand-name titles. It compresses his themes of medicine, pleasure and mortality into a small, dense image, showing how a single word can recast an otherwise orderly arrangement of colour.
Collector Perspective
Its modest scale makes Opium an approachable Hirst pharmaceutical work, well suited to smaller walls and first-time collectors of the series. Buyers should confirm the Eyestorm edition of 500, check the archive-paper surface for handling marks, and note whether their example carries a signature, as issuance can vary within a run.
Historical Context
Issued in Hirst's 2000 Eyestorm group of pharmaceutical photographs, Opium shares their online-distribution lineage and clinical spot vocabulary. The choice of an ancient narcotic, rather than a modern brand, links the work to Hirst's broader memento mori concerns and the long human history of medicine as both cure and peril.
FAQ
How large is the print?
It is compact, measuring roughly 43 by 48 cm, the smallest of the pharmaceutical photographs in this group.
What is the edition size?
It was published by Eyestorm in an edition of 500.
What medium is used?
It is a full-colour Lambda print on archive paper.
How does it differ from Valium or LSD?
It shares the pharmaceutical spot vocabulary but is smaller in scale, and its title references an ancient narcotic rather than a modern pharmaceutical brand.
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.