Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Regeneration
Summary
Regeneration is a 2009 etching measuring 47.3 x 39.3 cm, published by Other Criteria in a signed and numbered edition of 45. Part of Hirst's butterfly etching series, it renders the insect in fine intaglio detail, emerging from a deep black background like a specimen preserved in an entomologist's collection.
Why It Matters
Etching brings a level of fine, hand-drawn detail rarely seen in Hirst's editions, giving these butterflies a delicate, scientific precision. The title Regeneration foregrounds one of the many meanings the butterfly has carried across art and literature, tying this intimate print directly to Hirst's lifelong themes of renewal and mortality.
Collector Perspective
With an edition of just 45 and the more labour-intensive etching medium, Regeneration is among the scarcer and more craft-focused works in Hirst's print catalogue. The black-ground presentation suits classic framing. Collectors should verify the pencil signature and plate impression, and appreciate the series' cohesion as a set.
Historical Context
Part of Hirst's 2009 butterfly etchings with Other Criteria, Regeneration draws on the butterfly's centuries-old symbolism as an emblem of love, fortune, freedom, spirituality, and death. These etchings are among the newest additions to a motif central to Hirst's visual identity since his earliest work.
FAQ
What is an etching?
Etching is an intaglio process where the image is bitten into a metal plate with acid, allowing fine, detailed line work not possible in screenprint.
What does the butterfly symbolize?
In Hirst's work and across art history it references love, regeneration, fortune, freedom, spirituality, and death; the titles of the etchings echo these meanings.
What is the edition size?
It is a signed and numbered edition of 45, published by Other Criteria.
How large is it?
The sheet measures 47.3 x 39.3 cm.
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.