The Dead (silver gloss, oriental gold)
The Dead (silver gloss, oriental gold)
Signed Print
Damien Hirst
£5,500-£8,000
$11,500-$16,000 Value Indicator
$10,000-$14,500 Value Indicator
¥50,000-¥80,000 Value Indicator
€6,500-€9,500 Value Indicator
$60,000-$80,000 Value Indicator
¥1,050,000-¥1,530,000 Value Indicator
$7,500-$10,500 Value Indicator
AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
There aren't enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.
Medium: Foil Block
Edition size: 15
Year: 2009
Size: H 72cm x W 51cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Forum Auctions London | United Kingdom |
Meaning & Analysis
The Dead (silver gloss, oriental gold) is a signed foil block print in colours on Arches paper produced by renowned contemporary artist, Damien Hirst. Hirst renders a floating skull in this print, using a bold mix of silver gloss and oriental gold. Set against a simple white backdrop, the skull dominates the centre of the composition and appears to stare out at the viewer of the print.
The print, made in 2009, is part of the artist’s The Dead series. The series is composed of thirty-one prints, with each print depicting the same skull using a different combination of colours. The bright and bold colours Hirst uses throughout the series reflects how the artist is attempting to challenge the way in which death is seen as a taboo subject or “unacceptable idea.”
The Dead series is similar to other series by Hirst which also use skulls as their source of inspiration. I Once Was What You Are, You Will Be What I Am (2007) is composed of six etchings, all of which show a slightly different skull in black and white. Similarly, Memento (2008) is composed of thirteen etchings, seven of which are black and white skulls.
