Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
The Cure (Steel Blue / Acid Green / Apple Green)
Summary
The Cure (Steel Blue / Acid Green / Apple Green) is a 2014 silkscreen printed on Somerset Tub Sized 410gsm in a tight edition of 15, measuring 72 x 51 cm. Signed and numbered and published by Paul Stolper Gallery, it arranges rows of pills in named colorways, turning the grid of the medicine cabinet into a bright, ordered composition.
Why It Matters
The Cure crystallizes Hirst's central metaphor: that pills, in their reassuring rows and candy colors, function as objects of faith. The title's promise of a cure is undercut by the purely visual pleasure of the arrangement, restating the tension between medicine as science and medicine as belief that has animated his practice for decades.
Collector Perspective
At just 15 impressions, this colorway is markedly scarcer than Hirst's larger pill editions, which raises its collector interest. The heavyweight Somerset paper is a quality substrate that holds color and margin well. Collectors should confirm the specific colorway matches the numbered impression and that signing is present, as The Cure was issued across multiple named palettes.
Historical Context
Pills became a defining Hirst motif through installations such as the Pharmacy restaurant and his pill-cabinet sculptures. His collaboration with Paul Stolper Gallery translated this imagery into editioned prints in the 2010s, with The Cure appearing in a range of colorways that let collectors choose among distinct palettes of the same grid.
FAQ
Why is the edition so small?
This colorway was limited to 15 impressions, making it one of the scarcer variants among Hirst's pill prints.
What paper is it printed on?
Somerset Tub Sized 410gsm, a heavyweight fine-art stock well suited to silkscreen.
Are there other colorways?
Yes. The Cure was released in several named color combinations; this one is the Steel Blue / Acid Green / Apple Green palette.
Who published it?
Paul Stolper Gallery, a longtime collaborator on Hirst's pharmaceutical print editions.
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.