Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Picrotoxin (First Edition)
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Picrotoxin (First Edition) is documented in this catalog as a 2012 Woodcut. The saved release record lists dimensions of 6.25 x 6 inches. The saved record attributes the release to Manifold Editions. The cataloged edition information is 55.
Collector notes: First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 55. Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
As one impression in a broad chemically-named suite, Picrotoxin demonstrates the series' logic: a catalogue of single spots, each a distinct color and title. The woodcut medium introduces subtle grain and impression character absent from the flatter painted and screenprinted spots.
Collector Perspective
Set-minded collectors track individual titles like Picrotoxin to build runs of the spot woodcuts. The small two-inch format is among the more approachable entry points. Key checks are the 410gsm Somerset White stock, the numbering within the edition, and even inking across the single circular spot.
Historical Context
The spot motif is central to Hirst's identity, and the woodcut editions extended it into a heritage printmaking technique. Working with The Paragon Press, Hirst reframed a motif born of clinical repetition into something with the handmade texture of traditional relief printing.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print or object
- Release date
- 2012
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Woodcut; catalog dimensions 6.25 x 6 inches; 2-inch spot woodcut, printed on 410gsm Somerset White Paper, published by The Paragon Press in 2011.
- Edition details
- First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 55.
- Signature and marks
- Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Damien Hirst's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: No per-work artist statement is recorded for this edition. Any thematic reading should be treated as interpretation of the imagery, not a documented statement of the artist's intent. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2012 and attributes the edition to Manifold Editions. The saved description also notes: 2-inch spot woodcut, printed on 410gsm Somerset White Paper, published by The Paragon Press in 2011.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Manifold Editions. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Damien Hirst — official site — Damien Hirst studio (Science Ltd.) · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official artist site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
- Damien Hirst — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Damien Hirst (Q294326) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
What does Picrotoxin depict?
A single two-inch color spot, rendered as a woodcut on Somerset White paper.
Is the title significant?
It follows Hirst's chemical-compound naming system used across the entire spot series.
What paper stock is used?
410gsm Somerset White paper.
How does the woodcut differ from painted spots?
The relief-cut process adds grain and hand-printed character that the machine-crisp spot paintings deliberately avoid.
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