Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Reveal
Summary
Reveal (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 renders a single butterfly in fine intaglio line against a deep black ground, isolating the specimen with the precision of a naturalist's plate.
Why It Matters
The butterfly is among Hirst's most enduring motifs, threading through his work from the early In and Out of Love onward. Reveal translates that recurring symbol into the disciplined language of etching, a comparatively intimate and traditional medium against Hirst's usual scale, giving collectors access to a career-defining theme in printed form.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 45, Reveal sits among the tighter Hirst butterfly etchings, smaller than the screenprint runs that reach into the hundreds. Signed and numbered by the artist and issued by his own Other Criteria imprint, it offers a clear provenance path. Its titled, quasi-devotional theme adds interpretive appeal for collectors drawn to Hirst's memento mori vocabulary.
Historical Context
Published in 2009 through Other Criteria, the print house Hirst co-founded, Reveal belongs to a group of butterfly etchings whose titles reference love, regeneration, freedom and death. The etching format nods to centuries of natural-history illustration in which butterflies were pinned, embedded and catalogued as objects of study and wonder.
FAQ
What is the edition size of Reveal?
It was published in a signed and numbered edition of 45 by Other Criteria in 2009.
What medium is this print?
It is an etching, an intaglio printmaking process, measuring 47.3 x 39.2 cm.
How is it signed?
Each impression is signed and numbered by Damien Hirst.
How does it relate to Hirst's wider work?
It continues his long-running butterfly motif, a symbol he has used since his early career to explore love, spirituality and death.
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.