Guy Hepner Gallery

Damien Hirst The Virtues Mercy H9-3 For Sale

Damien Hirst
Damien Hirst - The Virtues Mercy H9-3, 2021, Laminated Giclée print on aluminium composite panel

The Virtues Mercy H9-3, 2021

Laminated Giclée print on aluminium composite panel

47 1/4 x 37 3/4 in 120 x 96 cm

Edition

Edition of 817

About this work

Mercy, the third installment in Damien Hirst's esteemed Virtues series, offers a profound exploration of piety and compassion. Dedicated to the virtue of mercy as described by Inazō Nitobe in the Bushidō code of conduct, this work delves into the depths of human empathy and benevolence.Drawing inspiration from Inazō Nitobe's definition of mercy as "the feeling of affliction, love, magnanimity, affection for others, sympathy and pity," Hirst masterfully intertwines symbolism and emotion to evoke a sense of compassion and understanding. Through meticulous brushstrokes and vibrant hues, he captures the essence of mercy as a guiding principle in human interaction.Referencing artistic movements such as Impressionism, Pointillism, and Action Painting, Hirst's Cherry Blossoms serve as a thematic backdrop to Mercy. These blossoms, imbued with the spontaneous joy of spring, symbolize the beauty and fragility of life. Hirst poignantly reflects on the paradoxical nature of cherry blossoms, describing them as both hopeful and hopeless, a poignant reminder of the transient nature of existence."Cherry Blossoms are about beauty and life and death. They're extreme – there's something hopeful yet hopeless about them." In capturing the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms, Hirst invites viewers to contemplate the ephemeral nature of mercy and compassion, and the profound impact it can have on our lives.Through Mercy (H9-3) and the broader Virtues series, Hirst seeks to remind us of the importance of embracing empathy and kindness in our interactions with others. Just as cherry blossoms bloom and wither with the changing seasons, mercy manifests in moments of affliction and love, offering solace and comfort to those in need. In a world marked by turmoil and division, Mercy stands as a beacon of hope and compassion, urging us to strive for greater understanding and empathy in our daily lives. As Hirst aptly puts it, "Blossoms are optimistic and bright yet fragile, just like we are," serving as a poignant reminder of the inherent beauty and vulnerability of the human spirit.

Price on Application

Edition & Provenance

Year
2021
Medium
Laminated Giclée print on aluminium composite panel
Edition
Edition of 817

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The Virtues Mercy H9-3

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.

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