Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Quisqualic Acid (First Edition)
Summary
Quisqualic Acid is a single twelve-inch spot woodcut on 410gsm Somerset White paper, published by The Paragon Press in 2012. Part of the larger-format spot woodcut tier, its chemical-compound title follows the pharmaceutical naming system that defines the spot series.
Why It Matters
The larger twelve-inch spot gives the work real wall presence, foregrounding both the purity of the color and the character of the woodcut impression. It shows Hirst applying a traditional relief process to a motif more usually associated with mechanical, near-industrial precision.
Collector Perspective
Collectors building the spot woodcuts value the larger format for its standalone impact. Verification points are the 410gsm Somerset White stock, the 2012 Paragon Press provenance, edition numbering, and an even, clean impression of the twelve-inch spot with intact margins.
Historical Context
The spot woodcut program sat within Hirst's larger effort to render the spot motif in every print medium. Published by The Paragon Press in 2012, the twelve-inch works gave the clinically named series the warmth and grain of hand-cut woodblock printing.
FAQ
What is the medium and size?
A single twelve-inch spot woodcut on 410gsm Somerset White paper.
Where does the name come from?
Quisqualic acid is a chemical compound, matching Hirst's spot naming convention.
What year was it published?
2012, by The Paragon Press.
How does it compare to the small spots?
The larger scale gives it more display presence and shows the woodcut grain more clearly than the two-inch versions.
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.