Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Prosperity
Summary
Prosperity (2009) is an etching from Damien Hirst's butterfly series, published by Other Criteria in a signed and numbered edition of 45. Measuring 47.3 x 39.2 cm, it isolates a single butterfly in fine intaglio detail against black, the title invoking the insect's traditional associations with fortune and good luck.
Why It Matters
Prosperity draws on the butterfly's role as a symbol of fortune, one of the many meanings Hirst threads through his titles. As a smaller-format etching it demonstrates the artist working in a precise, historic medium, giving collectors a refined entry into a motif central to his practice since the early 1990s.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 45, Prosperity is one of the more limited butterfly etchings. Its signature, numbering and Other Criteria origin establish provenance. The specific, fortune-themed title differentiates it within the group and lends collector interest to buyers who read Hirst's butterflies as an emblematic vocabulary rather than mere decoration.
Historical Context
Published in 2009 by Other Criteria, Prosperity belongs to a set of butterfly etchings referencing love, regeneration, fortune, freedom, spirituality and death. Butterflies have signified good fortune across many cultures, a meaning Hirst folds into his contemporary treatment of the specimen.
FAQ
What is the medium of Prosperity?
It is an etching, measuring 47.3 x 39.2 cm.
How many were produced?
It is from a signed and numbered edition of 45.
When and by whom was it published?
In 2009, by Other Criteria.
What does the title reference?
Prosperity invokes the butterfly's traditional association with fortune and good luck.
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.