Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
To Lure
Summary
"To Lure" is a 2008 etching from Damien Hirst's butterfly series, issued by Other Criteria in a signed and stamped edition of 75. Its 250 x 300 mm image on a 412 x 443 mm sheet isolates a single butterfly in fine intaglio detail against black, evoking a mounted specimen in a naturalist's collection.
Why It Matters
Within the series, "To Lure" leans on the butterfly's associations with attraction and enticement, extending the emotional vocabulary Hirst assigns across the group's titles. The etching process gives the wings a crisp, hand-drawn precision that distinguishes these plates from the bold flat color of his screenprinted butterfly and kaleidoscope works.
Collector Perspective
With only 75 impressions, availability is limited. The appeal is a Hirst motif rendered in a traditional, collectible print medium at an approachable scale. Collectors should confirm signature, edition stamp and Other Criteria provenance. As one of several titled variations, it works well acquired as part of a curated grouping within the series.
Historical Context
The butterfly's symbolic weight, spanning love, regeneration, freedom, spirituality and death, has made it a recurring subject across centuries of art and literature. Hirst has drawn on this iconography since his early career, and this etching group represents its continuation into fine intaglio prints published by his Other Criteria imprint.
FAQ
What is "To Lure"?
A 2008 butterfly etching by Damien Hirst, edition of 75, published by Other Criteria.
How is it different from Hirst's screenprints?
It is an intaglio etching, emphasizing fine line and tonal detail rather than the flat color of his silkscreens.
What are the dimensions?
250 x 300 mm image on a 412 x 443 mm sheet.
How is it authenticated?
Each impression is signed and stamped by the artist.
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.