The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (Lenticular)

Work Summary & Collector Notes

This 2013 lenticular, digitally printed on PETG plastic, measures 80 x 120 cm and comes from an edition of 150, signed and numbered. It borrows the title of Hirst's landmark 1991 tiger shark in formaldehyde, translating that iconic memento-mori subject into a shifting, angle-dependent image.

Collector notes: The saved release record describes: Edition of 150. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.

Why It Matters

The title references arguably Hirst's most famous work, the suspended shark that defined the Young British Artists moment. Recasting it as a lenticular lets the viewer's movement animate the subject, making the theme of death-in-life literally kinetic rather than fixed in a tank.

Collector Perspective

The direct link to the celebrated shark piece gives this edition strong narrative appeal for collectors who cannot acquire the original vitrine work. The large 80 x 120 cm format and motion effect make it a statement object. The edition of 150 is signed and numbered for provenance.

Historical Context

The original The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (1991) is a cornerstone of 1990s British art. This lenticular, published by Paul Stolper Gallery, revisits that touchstone two decades later, extending Hirst's inquiry into mortality into a new optical medium.

Documented Release Details

Object type

Lenticular edition

Release date

2013

Release-date note

Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.

Medium and materials

Lenticular; catalog dimensions 80 x 120 cm; Lenticular - Digital printing on PETG plastic.

Edition details

The saved release record describes: Edition of 150.

Signature and marks

The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.

Documented History and Meaning

History note: This page treats Damien Hirst's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.

Meaning / interpretation: Read as documented context rather than stated intent: The original The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (1991) is a cornerstone of 1990s British art. This is an interpretive reading of the release context, not a statement of the artist's intent for this specific work. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.

Release context: The saved catalog lists 2013 and attributes the edition to Paul Stolper Gallery.

Authentication, Presentation and Provenance

Original presentation

Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.

Authentication note

Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.

Provenance note

Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Paul Stolper Gallery. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.

Sources and Verification

Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added

1. Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
2. Damien Hirst — official site — Damien Hirst studio (Science Ltd.) · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official artist site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
3. Damien Hirst — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
4. Damien Hirst (Q294326) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.

FAQ

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HellAlso in the Skulls & Memento Mori

Red Bird And Parrot With Shark Jaw (Small)Also in the Skulls & Memento Mori

Silver TearsAlso in the Skulls & Memento Mori