A Framed Damien Hirst Skull Print
This lot is a framed print catalogued as Damien Hirst’s The Skull, offered as an artist proof and prototype. The image shows a skull built from butterflies, pale pink roses, foliage and soft blue-grey wings, rendered in a muted palette of greys, dusty pinks and duck egg tones. The eye sockets and jaw are formed by layered blooms and insects, giving the design a delicate, almost botanical quality that contrasts with its memento mori theme. A pencil-style signature appears in the lower left of the image area. The print sits behind a cream mount within a heavily scrolled, cream-finished ornate frame with acanthus-style corner and side mounts and a beaded inner edge. The attribution and edition status are as stated in the lot details, and prospective buyers should examine any accompanying documentation.
Condition and Collector Appeal
The frame shows age-related wear, including a distressed gilt finish, small chips to the raised mouldings and areas of white paint splashing and light discolouration across the surfaces. The print and mount appear generally clean in the photographs, with some minor marks around the signature area and the lower edge, but these should be checked in person. Descriptions of originality, edition and prototype status cannot be verified from images alone, so bidders are encouraged to request further information before bidding. For collectors of contemporary British art, a signed artist proof linked to Damien Hirst’s skull series may hold particular appeal, especially as a decorative piece with strong visual impact.
