Blossoms
5 works
Damien Hirst H10-3 Theodora (The Empresses) For Sale
Damien Hirst
H10-3 Theodora (The Empresses), 2022
Laminated Giclée print on aluminium composite, screen printed with glitter
39 3/8 x 39 3/8 in 100 x 100 cm
Edition
Edition of 3,315
About this work
In Damien Hirst's print Theodora, the viewer is presented with an extraordinarily complex and dynamic composition, named after the great Byzantine empress who left a lasting impact on her empire. Born into the lowest class of Byzantine society, Theodora rose to power through her intelligence and savvy, eventually becoming a pivotal figure alongside Emperor Justinian. The artwork reflects her transformative reign through an intriguing asymmetrical arrangement of red and black butterfly wings. Glittering red lines divide the piece, creating a visual symbol reminiscent of the female gender symbol, echoing Theodora's policies that empowered women.As one delves into Theodora, the seemingly chaotic arrangement of wings begins to take on a sense of purpose and direction. Each pair of wings, carefully placed, suggests movement and life, as if the butterflies are in constant motion. The work is a testament to Theodora's ability to navigate the complexities of Byzantine society, leaving a lasting legacy of change and progress. The intricate patterns of wings seem to shift and change, revealing new formations and arrangements, mirroring Theodora's multifaceted personality and accomplishments.Hirst's choice of vibrant red and black tones further enhances the artwork's impact, symbolizing power, passion, and the enduring legacy of Theodora. The use of glittering lines adds a sense of regal splendor, reminiscent of the opulence of Byzantine art and architecture. Each wing, meticulously rendered in lifelike detail, conveys a sense of motion and vitality, capturing the essence of butterflies in flight. This dynamic energy reflects Theodora's resilience and determination in the face of challenges.Moreover, Theodora stands out within the series for its degree of organized chaos. The result of the carefully composed asymmetrical composition is the visual sensation that these wings are not merely arranged specimens but insects vibrating with life. The work is infused with a sense of vitality, as if the butterflies are captured in a moment of variously directional flight. From afar, Theodora presents a striking formation reminiscent of the female gender symbol, symbolizing Theodora's landmark policies that benefited women and reshaped Byzantine society.In Theodora, Damien Hirst captures the essence of this remarkable empress through a harmonious interplay of form and symbolism. The artwork invites viewers to explore Theodora's legacy, her transformative rule, and her enduring impact on history. It stands as a tribute to her intelligence, resilience, and unwavering commitment to progress, encapsulated in the graceful flutter of butterfly wings.
Price on Application
Auction History
Five works: (i) H10-1 Wu Zetian; (ii) H10-2 Nūr Jahān; (iii) H10-3 Theodora; (iv) H10-4 Suiko; (v) H10-5 Taytu Betul from the series The Empresses · Damien Hirst · Phillips · 2022-10 · $26,950
Five works: (i) H10-1 Wu Zetian; (ii) H10-2 Nūr Jahān; (iii) H10-3 Theodora; (iv) H10-4 Suiko; (v) H10-5 Taytu Betul from the series The Empresses · Damien Hirst · Phillips · 2023-11 · $12,738
Five works: (i) H10-1 Wu Zetian; (ii) H10-2 Nūr Jahān; (iii) H10-3 Theodora; (iv) H10-4 Suiko; (v) H10-5 Taytu Betul from the series The Empresses · Damien Hirst · Phillips · 2023-10 · $11,628
The Empress (H10-3 Theodora) · Damien Hirst · Ketterer · 2024-09 · $4,475
More from this series
Related Reading
Damien Hirst Editions: A Complete Collector's Guide
Damien Hirst
Damien Hirst
Damien Hirst Kaleidoscopes
Damien Hirst Master of Form
Guy Hepner New York Gallery
Damien Hirst: Spots
The 5 Most Popular Damien Hirst Works
The Origins and Meaning of Damien Hirst’s Spin Paintings
Damien Hirst Collecting Guide
Hirst and Lichtenstein
Spring’s Awakening
Damien Hirst Market Report 2025
Damien Hirst
Watch
More series by Damien Hirst
About Damien Hirst
Damien Hirst prints for sale at Guy Hepner include works from the Spot Paintings, Butterfly editions, Beautiful prints, and Pharmaceutical series. Damien Hirst art for sale and Damien Hirst original art for sale through our New York gallery are sourced from authenticated secondary market collections. We also advise collectors looking to sell Damien Hirst prints — free valuations available.
Damien Hirst is the defining figure of the Young British Artists movement and one of the most collected living artists in the world. His work spans Natural History sculptures, Spot Paintings, Butterfly Works, Spin Paintings, and pharmaceutical installations ? series that have set auction benchmarks at Sotheby's, Christie's, and Phillips across four decades. Collections at Tate Modern, MoMA, and the Guggenheim confirm his standing as one of the essential artists of his generation.
His single-artist auction "Beautiful Inside My Head Forever" generated $198 million at Sotheby's in 2008, a record that remains one of the most significant events in the contemporary art market. Major works including the Lullaby series of medicine cabinets and the Natural History formaldehyde sculptures have each achieved prices above $10 million, while his Spot Paintings and print editions sustain deep, global secondary market activity across all price points.
Guy Hepner Gallery has deep expertise across Damien Hirst's print editions, Spot Paintings, and Butterfly Works, offering acquisition guidance, market valuations, and direct access to available works. Whether you are building a collection or looking to sell, the gallery provides trusted, confidential support for one of the most actively traded names in contemporary art.