Damien Hirst Prints: From Spot Paintings to Cherry Blossoms — A Collector's Guide
Damien Hirst is the most commercially successful artist of his generation and one of the most prolific printmakers working today. With over 1,000 spot paintings alone and an expanding catalogue of editions spanning screenprints, giclees, and digital works, the Hirst print market is both vast and nuanced. Understanding which series hold value, which are emerging, and how to authenticate is essential for any serious collector.
The Scale of Hirst's Print Output
Hirst has been producing prints since the late 1990s, beginning with The Last Supper series in 1999. Since then, his edition catalogue has grown to include hundreds of individual works across multiple series. At Hanga House, we currently hold 83 authenticated Hirst works, making him the most represented artist in our collection. Prices range from 950 GBP for smaller editions to over 85,000 GBP for rare proofs and early works.
What distinguishes Hirst from many of his contemporaries is the sheer variety of his print output. While some artists are associated with a single visual language, Hirst has produced editions across radically different aesthetics: pharmaceutical cabinets, spin paintings, butterfly compositions, spot paintings, skull imagery, and most recently, cherry blossom landscapes.
Key Print Series
Spot Paintings (H-series)
The spot paintings are Hirst's most recognisable motif and form the backbone of his print market. The H-series editions, produced as giclees on Hahnemuhle paper, are available in various sizes and colourways. Prices for standard spot print editions range from 950 to 3,000 GBP, making them among the most accessible blue-chip contemporary prints available. The small format Fruitful and Forever editions are particularly popular entry points.
For collectors seeking appreciation potential, the larger spot editions and variant colourways command premiums. The Ryoanji composition, referencing the famous Zen rock garden in Kyoto, is among the most sought-after spot variants, trading around 9,500 GBP at Hanga House.
The Virtues (H9 Series)
Inspired by cherry blossom trees from Hirst's Devonshire childhood and referencing Japanese cultural values, The Virtues comprises eight giclee prints: Justice, Courage, Mercy, Politeness, Honesty, Honour, Loyalty, and Control. Created during the 2021 lockdown as part of a broader cherry blossom project exhibited at the Fondation Cartier in Paris, these editions have established themselves as one of the most important Hirst print series of the 2020s.
Average values across The Virtues series have ranged from approximately 3,600 to 65,000 GBP over the past twelve months, depending on the specific composition and edition size. At Hanga House, we hold several Virtues works including Justice at 13,000 GBP and Politeness at 15,000 GBP. Complete sets command significant premiums over individual sheets.
The Empresses (H10 Series)
A companion series to The Virtues, The Empresses features four compositions named after historical female rulers: Wu Zetian, Nur Jahan, Theodora, and Suiko. These giclee prints share the cherry blossom aesthetic but with a distinct colour palette and compositional energy. Currently trading around 2,400 GBP per sheet at Hanga House, they represent strong value relative to The Virtues and may appreciate as the series gains recognition.
Butterfly Prints
Hirst's butterfly compositions, including the Butterfly Rainbow and Butterfly Heart editions, combine vibrant colour with the artist's ongoing fascination with natural beauty and mortality. The large format editions trade around 2,450 GBP, with smaller variants available from 1,450 GBP. These prints are particularly popular with collectors drawn to Hirst's more decorative and optimistic aesthetic.
The Currency
Hirst's most conceptually ambitious print project, The Currency comprised 10,000 unique dot paintings, each with a corresponding NFT. Collectors had to choose between keeping the physical work or the NFT. The unique prints that survived this process now trade as individual works, with prices at Hanga House around 6,750 GBP. Each Currency print is genuinely one-of-a-kind, combining the accessibility of an edition price with the uniqueness of a singular work.
Authentication and What to Check
Hirst prints are generally well-documented through his publishing partnerships. Key authentication markers include the edition number and pencil signature in the lower margin, publisher blind stamps or credits, and consistency with the known specifications for each series including paper type, dimensions, and printing technique.
At Hanga House, we verify all Hirst editions against published records and physically inspect each work for condition and authenticity. The main risk in the Hirst market is not forgery, which is relatively uncommon for prints, but rather condition issues. Giclee prints are sensitive to light and humidity, and works that have been improperly stored or framed may show fading or foxing that significantly reduces value.
Market Outlook
Hirst's print market is mature and well-understood, with thousands of auction records providing reliable comparable data. The artist's institutional profile remains strong, with ongoing exhibitions and the continued cultural resonance of his conceptual projects. The cherry blossom series in particular has attracted a new generation of collectors who may not have engaged with Hirst's earlier, more provocative work.
For collectors entering the Hirst market, we recommend starting with the spot painting editions under 3,000 GBP or the Empresses series around 2,400 GBP. Both offer authentic Hirst works at accessible prices with room for appreciation. For collectors with larger budgets, The Virtues represent a museum-quality holding with strong secondary market liquidity.
Browse our full Hirst collection of 83 authenticated works at Hanga House, where every print comes with a condition report, provenance documentation, and our seven-step authentication guarantee.
