Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
To Lose
Summary
"To Lose" is a 2008 etching from Damien Hirst's butterfly series, published by Other Criteria in a signed and stamped edition of 75. The 250 x 300 mm image sits on a 412 x 443 mm sheet, rendering a single butterfly specimen in fine intaglio detail against a deep black ground.
Why It Matters
The butterfly has anchored Hirst's iconography since his early kaleidoscope and vitrine works, making these etchings a print-scale entry into one of his defining motifs. The etching medium here is notable: it trades the flat color of his silkscreens for the tactile line and tonal depth of the plate, closer to a naturalist's engraving.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 75, this is among the more tightly editioned Hirst prints in circulation, and the intaglio format appeals to collectors who prize technique over pure image recognition. The signed-and-stamped authentication and Other Criteria provenance are the key documentation points to confirm. The title's theme of loss situates it within the series' emotional register.
Historical Context
The butterfly's centuries-long role in art and literature as a symbol of love, regeneration, freedom and death gives these etchings a layered reading. Hirst's series titles, including "To Lose," deliberately invoke those associations, framing the specimen as both a scientific object and a memento mori. Other Criteria, Hirst's own imprint, published the group.
FAQ
What medium is "To Lose"?
It is an etching, an intaglio printmaking process, published in 2008 with a 250 x 300 mm image on a 412 x 443 mm sheet.
How large is the edition?
Each etching in this butterfly group is an edition of 75, signed and stamped.
Who published it?
Other Criteria, Damien Hirst's own publishing imprint.
How does it relate to Hirst's wider work?
The butterfly has been central to Hirst's visual identity since his early career; these etchings are among the newer additions to that motif.
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.