Does Damien Hirst use Real Butterflies in his work?

Yes. Although far from the first artist to use animals in his work, Damien Hirst has been the subject of complaint and protest from animal rights groups regarding the ethics of his use of animals. Many of the creatures used by Hirst are dead upon purchase, and his butterflies seem to fall under this bracket. According to a report on Artnet, in his Fly Paintings and Sculptures, Entomology Cabinets and Paintings and Kaleidoscope paintings, Hirst used an approximate 17,000 dead butterflies. Nevertheless, 9,000 live butterflies were used by Hirst during his Tate Modern retrospective in 2014, in the work In and Out of Love. Considering these insects were killed during the course of this show, the work has since been described as ‘Butterfly Hiroshima.”

Why is the Psalms series important?

Discussing his fascination with the insect, Hirst describes how butterflies are a 'universal trigger,' elaborating that 'everyone’s frightened of glass, everyone’s frightened of sharks, everyone loves butterflies.' Moreover, butterflies are a means through which Hirst can explore questions of life and death which play a fundamental role in his artworks. Hirst argues that butterflies embody the fragility of life because they retain an iridescent beauty, even in death. The incorporation of dead butterflies, which appear to be alive, in his prints, is a way for Hirst to make a comment on death and its inevitability.

How do I buy a Psalms series print?

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How can I sell my Psalms series print?

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Psalms by Damien Hirst Background & Meaning

Psalms

The 150 prints in Damien Hirst's Psalms feature butterfly wings arranged into intricate mandala patterns. Naming the prints after individual Old Testament psalms, Hirst pursues his interest in contemporary belief systems. Though, anecdotally, the patterns were inspired by a Victorian tea tray, their precise geometry perfectly befits the series' meditative theme.

Meaning & Analysis

Composed of 150 prints, Damien Hirst’s Psalms reference the artist’s ongoing fascination with spirituality, and cyclical notions of life and death. The series is composed of 150 works, all of which are made using butterfly wings on painted canvases. As indicated by the title of the series, each print in the series is named after a psalm from the Old Testament. The Psalms series captures the artist’s fascination with contemporary belief systems, such as religion, as well as questions of spirituality, life and death. The Psalms are part of a broader collection, the Kaleidoscope painting, an ambitious project begun by the artist in 2001, which was inspired by the intricate pattern of butterfly wings Hirst saw on an old Victoria tea tray.

In the Psalms series, every print depicts mesmerising and spectacular patterns of concentric circles which are composed of butterflies. From afar, the viewer thinks the circles are just made up of various different coloured shapes, however when looked at closely, the details of the butterflies and their wings become apparent. The prints in this series demand the viewer pays close attention to the intricate detail within the works, acknowledging and appreciating the hundreds of butterflies that compose the prints. The series is impressive due to the meticulous patterns Hirst creates and the fact that no two patterns are alike. The prints are full of variety, making it a dynamic and exciting body of works.

Throughout the series, Hirst uses bold and vibrant butterflies to make magnificent patterns.

The butterfly has become a signature part of Hirst’s visual language and iconography, and is one of the artist’s most well-known motifs, alongside skulls and diamonds. The artist began using butterflies in his work as early as 1989, while he was studying Fine Art at Goldsmiths College in London, and has continued to incorporate the beautiful insect into his works in series such as The Souls series from 2010. Hirst’s most iconic use of butterflies was arguably in 1991, when the artist produced an installation in which butterflies emerge from pupae attached to white painted canvases kept in a humid exhibition room.

Yes. Although far from the first artist to use animals in his work, Damien Hirst has been the subject of complaint and protest from animal rights groups regarding the ethics of his use of animals. Many of the creatures used by Hirst are dead upon purchase, and his butterflies seem to fall under this bracket. According to a report on Artnet, in his Fly Paintings and Sculptures, Entomology Cabinets and Paintings and Kaleidoscope paintings, Hirst used an approximate 17,000 dead butterflies. Nevertheless, 9,000 live butterflies were used by Hirst during his Tate Modern retrospective in 2014, in the work In and Out of Love. Considering these insects were killed during the course of this show, the work has since been described as ‘Butterfly Hiroshima.”
Discussing his fascination with the insect, Hirst describes how butterflies are a 'universal trigger,' elaborating that 'everyone’s frightened of glass, everyone’s frightened of sharks, everyone loves butterflies.' Moreover, butterflies are a means through which Hirst can explore questions of life and death which play a fundamental role in his artworks. Hirst argues that butterflies embody the fragility of life because they retain an iridescent beauty, even in death. The incorporation of dead butterflies, which appear to be alive, in his prints, is a way for Hirst to make a comment on death and its inevitability.
Hirst is also drawn to the insects due to the significant spiritual symbolism they carry. The Greeks used butterflies to depict the Psyche and soul and in Christian imagery, butterflies have been used to signify the resurrection. The butterfly’s symbolic heritage is significant as Hirst has always been fascinated with the theme of religion. The artist explains 'I am absolutely not interested in tying things down' and Hirst has continued over the last decade to explore the 'big issues' of 'death, life, religion, beauty, science.'
If you're looking to sell art by Damien Hirst, click the link and we can help. We employ a number of techniques and practices in order to give a realistic and achievable valuation on any art listed on myartbroker.com. We analyse the demand for the work in question, take into consideration previous sales and auction valuations, we assess the current gallery valuation and monitor the current deals taking place via MyArtBroker every day. We regularly advise sellers on a price bracket for their artwork completely free of charge.