Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Picrotoxin (First Edition)
Summary
Picrotoxin is a two-inch spot woodcut on 410gsm Somerset White paper from Hirst's spot woodcut series, published by The Paragon Press. Its title borrows a chemical compound name, keeping to the pharmaceutical labeling system that defines the whole spot body of work.
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.
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.
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.