Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Ribonolactone (First Edition)
Summary
Ribonolactone (First Edition) is a 2012 Manifold Editions woodcut with one-inch spots on a larger 17.5 x 11 inch sheet. The bigger format holds a denser field of small colour dots, allowing the systematic grid of Hirst's spot vocabulary to extend across a more expansive, wall-scaled surface.
Why It Matters
Ribonolactone's larger sheet with one-inch spots amplifies the repetition at the heart of the series: many small dots multiplying into an ordered field. Rendered as a woodcut, the extended grid gains texture and ink variation across the block, uniting the industrial idea of the spots with the hand character of relief printing.
Collector Perspective
Among the Manifold woodcuts, the 17.5 x 11 inch format gives Ribonolactone greater scale and presence than the small square sheets, which can enhance desirability. The edition of 55 keeps it scarce. Collectors should inspect the larger surface for consistent registration and ink coverage, verify signature and numbering, and retain provenance paperwork.
Historical Context
Named after a sugar-derived compound, Ribonolactone follows Hirst's convention of titling spots after chemical substances. As part of the 2012 Manifold woodcut series, it translates the artist's most recognisable motif into relief print at a scale that foregrounds the series' foundational logic of order and repetition.
FAQ
How does this differ from the smaller woodcuts?
The 17.5 x 11 inch sheet is larger and carries a denser field of one-inch spots, giving greater wall presence.
What is the medium?
It is a woodcut published by Manifold Editions.
What is the edition size?
55 impressions.
What does Ribonolactone refer to?
It is a chemical compound; Hirst names spot works after such substances.
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.