Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Tryptophan
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Tryptophan is a 2010 colour woodcut on Somerset paper, measuring 40 x 40 inches (101.6 x 101.6 cm), published by Paragon Press. Signed in pencil and numbered on the reverse in an edition of 48, it translates Hirst's spot vocabulary into a large-scale relief print on premium cotton stock.
Collector notes: First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 48. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
At forty inches square, Tryptophan is an unusually large woodcut, a technically demanding feat given the registration precision relief printing requires. The scientific title, referencing the amino acid, ties the work to Hirst's ongoing engagement with pharmacology and biochemistry as sources for his spot compositions.
Collector Perspective
The large square format and edition of 48 make Tryptophan a significant collector piece within Hirst's woodcut spots. Somerset paper is a respected archival cotton stock. Note the split signing convention, pencil signature on the front and numbering on the reverse, and confirm both when authenticating.
Historical Context
Produced with Paragon Press, Tryptophan belongs to Hirst's early-2010s project of reinterpreting his spot paintings through traditional woodcut. The chemical and pharmaceutical titling connects it to the spot series' long-running dialogue with medicine, science, and the language of the laboratory.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print or object
- Release date
- 2010
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Woodcut; catalog dimensions 40 x 40 inches; woodcut in colors, on Somerset paper, 2010, signed in pencil, numbered on the reverse.
- Edition details
- First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 48.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. 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 2010 and attributes the edition to Paragon Press.
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 Paragon Press. 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 Tryptophan refer to?
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid; Hirst frequently titles spot works after chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds.
How is the work signed?
It is signed in pencil on the front and numbered on the reverse.
What paper and size?
It is a 40 x 40 inch colour woodcut on Somerset archival paper.
What is the edition size?
It was published in an edition of 48 by Paragon Press.
