Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
To Love
Work Summary & Collector Notes
"To Love" is a 2008 butterfly etching by Damien Hirst, published by Other Criteria in a signed and stamped edition of 75. The 250 x 300 mm image on a 412 x 443 mm sheet presents a finely worked single butterfly emerging from a black background, like a specimen in a collector's case.
Collector notes: The saved release record describes: Each etching is an edition of 75. The saved release record describes: signed. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
The title makes the series' symbolism explicit: the butterfly as an emblem of love, one of the several meanings Hirst draws on across the group. As an etching rather than a screenprint, it foregrounds line, texture and tonal depth, offering a quieter, more draughtsman-like counterpart to his better-known kaleidoscope canvases.
Collector Perspective
The edition of 75 keeps supply modest relative to Hirst's larger spot-print runs. Collectors drawn to "To Love" typically value the intimate scale and the intaglio handling. Verify the artist's signature and the edition stamp, and confirm Other Criteria as publisher. The romantic title makes it a natural pairing piece within the butterfly set.
Historical Context
Butterflies have been depicted in art, set in resin and written about for centuries, carrying meanings of love, fortune, spirituality and death. Hirst folds those traditions into a body of work he has developed since his early days. "To Love" sits among the newest additions to that long-running motif, published through his own imprint.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print or object
- Release date
- 2009
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Etching; catalog dimensions 41.2 x 44.3 cm.
- Edition details
- The saved release record describes: Each etching is an edition of 75.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed. 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: No per-work artist statement is recorded for this edition. Any thematic reading should be treated as interpretation of the imagery, not a documented statement of the artist's intent. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2009 and attributes the edition to Other Criteria.
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 Other Criteria. 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Damien Hirst — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Damien Hirst (Q294326) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
What does the title "To Love" reference?
It draws on the butterfly's long-standing symbolism of love, one of several meanings Hirst references across the series titles.
What is the sheet size?
The sheet measures 412 x 443 mm, with a 250 x 300 mm image.
Is it signed?
Yes, each etching is signed and stamped, in an edition of 75.
What year was it made?
The etching dates to 2008 and was published by Other Criteria.
