Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
To Belong
Summary
To Belong is a butterfly etching by Damien Hirst, dated 2008 with a 250 x 300 mm image on a 412 x 443 mm sheet, signed and stamped in an edition of 75. Its finely etched butterfly emerges from a black field, the title completing a 'To' phrase group with a note of connection and place.
Why It Matters
To Belong extends the meditative, phrase-based titling that distinguishes this group of butterfly etchings, its theme of belonging adding an emotional register to a motif Hirst has carried since his early career. The etched format gives the work an intimacy and craft that reward sustained attention.
Collector Perspective
The edition of 75, signed and stamped, keeps To Belong among the more attainable Hirst etchings without sacrificing series provenance. Its position in the 'To' phrase group makes it a natural component for collectors building the set, and its compact sheet suits considered, close-scale display.
Historical Context
Dated 2008, To Belong is one of Hirst's butterfly etchings, a group whose titles reference love, regeneration, freedom, spirituality and death. The butterfly's enduring symbolism, refined over centuries of art and literature, gives the title's theme of connection its resonance within Hirst's practice.
FAQ
What are the print's dimensions?
The image is 250 x 300 mm on a sheet of 412 x 443 mm.
How is it signed?
It is signed and stamped, from an edition of 75.
Is it part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the 'To' phrase group within Hirst's butterfly etchings.
What year is it dated?
The etching is dated 2008.
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.