Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Tribulation
Summary
Tribulation (2009) is a signed and numbered etching from Damien Hirst's butterfly series, published by Other Criteria in an edition of 45. At 47.3 x 39.2 cm, its finely etched butterfly emerges from a black ground, the darker title steering the specimen toward Hirst's enduring themes of suffering and mortality.
Why It Matters
Tribulation occupies the somber pole of Hirst's butterfly vocabulary, where beauty and death sit in tension. The title's biblical resonance deepens the memento mori reading that runs throughout his work. As an intaglio etching, it shows the artist channeling a weighty theme through a restrained, traditional printmaking discipline.
Collector Perspective
The edition of 45 keeps Tribulation among the scarcer butterfly etchings. Signed, numbered and published by Other Criteria, it carries dependable provenance. Its darker, more unusual title sets it apart within the series and appeals to collectors drawn to the mortality themes at the core of Hirst's practice.
Historical Context
Issued in 2009 by Other Criteria, Tribulation is one of a group of butterfly etchings whose titles range from love and regeneration to death. The butterfly's dual symbolism, celebrating life while marking its brevity, gives this darker title its charge within Hirst's memento mori tradition.
FAQ
How many impressions were made?
It was published in a signed and numbered edition of 45.
What is the medium and size?
It is an etching measuring 47.3 x 39.2 cm.
What does the title suggest?
Tribulation leans toward themes of suffering and mortality, the darker side of Hirst's butterfly symbolism.
Who published it?
Other Criteria, in 2009.
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.