Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Painting By Numbers (Blue)
Summary
Painting by Numbers (Blue), 2001, is not a print but a multiple: a large canvas paired with 90 pots of blue enamel, 90 brushes and a cardboard support, issued by Eyestorm in an edition of 175. At 110 by 215 cm, it invites the owner to complete the work, collapsing the line between artist and audience.
Why It Matters
The piece distils a core Hirst provocation: the artist as author versus the artist as assembler. By handing collectors the pigments and brushes to finish the canvas, Hirst tests where authorship actually resides. It sits within his long dialogue about industrial production, delegation and the readymade, wrapped in his instantly recognisable spot palette.
Collector Perspective
Condition and completeness define value here. Because the work ships as an interactive kit, the survival of all 90 enamels, all 90 brushes and the original packaging matters enormously. Unbuilt, sealed examples read differently from executed ones. Collectors should confirm the edition number, Eyestorm provenance and whether the canvas remains blank or has been painted.
Historical Context
Eyestorm was a pioneering online art publisher of the late 1990s and early 2000s, using the web to distribute editions by leading contemporary names. Hirst's 2001 multiples for the platform reflect that democratising moment, when digital commerce promised to widen access to blue-chip contemporary art beyond the traditional gallery circuit.
FAQ
Is this a print?
No. Despite often being catalogued alongside prints, it is a sculptural multiple: a canvas issued with 90 enamel pots, 90 brushes and a cardboard element, meant to be assembled or painted by the owner.
How large is the edition?
It was published by Eyestorm in an edition of 175.
Does it matter if the canvas has been painted?
Yes. Whether an example remains blank with intact materials or has been executed by a prior owner materially changes how the multiple presents, so buyers should establish its state before purchase.
What are the dimensions?
The canvas measures roughly 110 by 215 cm, making it a substantial wall-scale work rather than a small edition.
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.