Damien Hirst Signed Original Butterfly Ink Drawing
Damien Hirst (British, b. 1965)
Butterfly with Hearts
Signed Original Black Ink Drawing on Paper | Contemporary British Work on Paper
Highlights
• Presented and catalogued as an original drawing by Damien Hirst.
• Executed in fluid black ink on paper.
• Features Hirst’s iconic butterfly motif between two delicate hearts.
• Signed in black ink to the lower right.
• Formerly in a private Shire collection in the United Kingdom.
• Acquired through Adam Partridge Auctioneers.
• Loaned & exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum in March 2026.
• Accompanied by a provenance statement document ssued by The Prince of Cards.
• Newly mounted and presented in a Larson-Juhl gilt frame.
• Protected by AR99 museum-quality anti-reflective glass.
• Fully prepared for immediate hanging and display.
Introduction
A highly distinctive black ink drawing on paper, presented and catalogued as an original work by Damien Hirst, one of the most influential figures in contemporary British art.
At the centre of the sheet is a freely drawn butterfly, accompanied on either side by a small heart. This concise yet evocative arrangement unites Hirst’s established fascination with butterflies and metamorphosis with a more tender vocabulary of affection, vulnerability and emotional connection.
Its monochromatic character places particular emphasis upon the movement of the artist’s line. The resulting image feels spontaneous and immediate while retaining a clear sense of balance and visual purpose.
Catalogue Details
Artist: Damien Hirst (British, b. 1965)
Title: Butterfly with Hearts
Medium: Black ink on paper
Classification: Contemporary British work on paper
Subject: Butterfly flanked by two heart motifs
Signature: Signed in black ink to the lower right
Certificate: Issued by The Prince of Cards
Frame: Recently fitted Larson-Juhl gilt moulded frame
Glazing: AR99 museum-quality anti-reflective glass
Catalogue Note
The butterfly is rendered through a combination of broadly symmetrical construction and lively gestural line. Small variations in weight, pressure and direction retain the immediacy of the drawing process and prevent the central form from appearing overly formal or mechanical.
The surrounding hearts are considerably smaller, allowing the butterfly to remain visually dominant. Their lateral placement brings equilibrium to the composition and introduces a subtle emotional narrative. Seen together, the three motifs evoke ideas of transformation, love, fragility and the temporary nature of beauty.
Hirst’s use of the butterfly stretches back to the formative period of his career. Within his wider practice, the insect frequently serves as both a seductive natural form and a reminder of mortality. Its visual perfection is inseparable from the delicacy and brevity of its life.
In this drawing, that familiar symbolism is expressed on an intimate scale. The simplicity of ink and paper allows the physical act of drawing to remain visible, creating a more immediate encounter with the imagery than is often found in the artist’s larger and more elaborately fabricated works.
The Artist
Damien Hirst was born in Bristol in 1965 and studied at Goldsmiths College in London. He rose to prominence as a central figure within the Young British Artists movement and became internationally recognised for work that challenged conventional distinctions between art, science, medicine and spectacle.
His practice includes sculpture, installation, painting, drawing and printmaking. Recurring themes include mortality, faith, desire, beauty, preservation and the limitations of human existence.
Natural specimens and organic forms occupy an important place within his work. Butterflies, in particular, have become closely associated with his artistic identity, appearing in installations, paintings, prints and works on paper.
The combination of visual beauty and underlying mortality found within the butterfly has enabled Hirst to return repeatedly to the motif while exploring different formal, philosophical and emotional concerns.
His works are represented in major public and private collections internationally.
Provenance
Private Shire Collection, United Kingdom.
Acquired through Adam Partridge Auctioneers.
Exhibited in Icons of Transformation: Contemporary Works on Paper, Lord Hill Museum, March 2026.
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by The Prince of Cards.
Framing
The drawing has recently been professionally mounted and framed using high-quality materials selected to complement its restrained monochromatic appearance.
It is housed within a Larson-Juhl gilt moulded frame of classical design. A clean white mount with a narrow gold fillet provides depth and separation while maintaining focus upon the butterfly and heart composition.
AR99 museum-quality anti-reflective glass provides excellent optical clarity while offering protection from environmental exposure. New hanging fittings have been installed, allowing the artwork to be displayed immediately.
Dimensions
Image:
27 cm wide × 20 cm high
Framed:
51.25 cm wide × 43.25 cm high × 3.5 cm deep
All dimensions are approximate.
Condition Report
The work is preserved in good overall condition.
Light surface wear is present on the paper, including a small unobtrusive indentation and minor wear around the edges of the sheet. These details are consistent with age and previous handling and do not detract significantly from the overall visual effect.
The ink remains strong, crisp and well defined. The work has recently been professionally mounted and placed in a newly fitted frame with a clean mount, gold fillet and AR99 museum-quality anti-reflective glazing.
The accompanying photographs form an important part of the condition assessment. Additional close-up images and further information can be supplied upon request.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
The artwork will be professionally packaged using suitable protective materials and fully insured during transit. International customers are welcome to request a tailored shipping quotation before purchasing.
Collection may also be arranged by prior appointment.
Attribution & Research Notice
The attribution, authorship, signature assessment, provenance research, historical observations and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed assessments based upon the available work, accompanying documentation, provenance information, comparative research, published reference material, auction history and professional experience within the international art market.
These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. The work is accompanied by a provenance statement document issued by The Prince of Cards. This issuer is identified transparently and the certificate should not be interpreted as having been issued by Damien Hirst, Science Ltd or Pest Control Office Ltd unless supporting documentation expressly confirms otherwise. As with all works of art, subsequent documentary discoveries, technical examination or developments in academic research may expand, refine or revise current interpretations.
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®
Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art. Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.
Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.
