Whilst Hirst is most well-known for conceptual works involving formaldehyde, dead animals, and diamonds, his print series reveal another layer of his artistic language—one that merges traditional techniques with his enduring themes of life, death, beauty, and belief. Among his vast body of printed works, five series stand out for their popularity, symbolism, and aesthetic impact: The Virtues, The 12 Woodcuts, Souls on Jacob’s Ladder, Sanctum, and Where the Land Meets the Sea. In this article we explore the most popular Damien Hirst prints.
The Virtues (2021)
The Virtues is a stunning and meditative print series that draws inspiration from traditional Japanese culture. It consists of eight large-scale prints, each named after one of the Eight Virtues of Bushidō—the samurai code of ethics. These are: Justice, Courage, Mercy, Politeness, Honesty, Honour, Loyalty, and Control. The series features cherry blossoms rendered in Hirst’s now-iconic gestural dot style, a nod to the impermanence and fleeting beauty of life—a central concept in both Buddhist and Japanese aesthetics.
The cherry blossoms are painted with layers of vibrant color, creating an explosion of energy and emotion. They float against pastel and sky-toned backgrounds, giving each piece a serene yet dynamic quality. Though deeply rooted in Japanese symbolism, The Virtues also represents a contemporary expression of hope and renewal—particularly poignant given its creation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The simplicity of the concept is balanced by the depth of its visual and philosophical layers, making this one of Hirst’s most universally admired print series.
12 Woodcuts (2010)
12 Woodcut Spots is a series of twelve woodcut prints created by Damien Hirst in 2010. Part of his iconic spot works, which have become a hallmark of his practice, these pieces explore the spot motif through the technique of relief printing rather than painting. Hirst began his first spot painting in 1986 and has since produced over a thousand, making the spot one of the most enduring and significant visual themes in his oeuvre.
Echoing his Pharmaceutical Paintings, each of the twelve woodcuts is named after a pharmaceutical drug found in Hirst’s personal copy of The Physician’s Desk Reference. Most prints feature meticulously rendered, evenly spaced spots arranged in a grid, with the exceptions of Quinaldic Acid and Pridinol, which each feature a solitary spot. These bold yet minimal compositions highlight the emotional resonance of simplicity. As Hirst puts it, “The simplest, cleanest thing can provoke an emotional response.” The crisp precision of these prints reflects that philosophy—unsettling in their order, yet undeniably powerful in their restraint.
Souls on Jacob’s Ladder (2007)
Damien Hirst’s The Souls on Jacob’s Ladder Take Their Flight is a series of six etchings that delves into themes of mortality and the fragility of life. Drawing inspiration from the biblical story in the Book of Genesis—where Jacob dreams of a ladder stretching from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending—Hirst reinterprets this vision through a contemporary, introspective lens. Rather than angels, he uses butterflies to symbolize the souls in transition, a choice that speaks to the ephemerality and delicate beauty of life. Set against dark, somber backgrounds, the large, vivid butterflies evoke a poignant contrast that underscores the inevitability of death. This visual metaphor also reflects Hirst’s skepticism toward conventional religious interpretations, suggesting a more ambiguous, even doubtful perspective on the afterlife. The artist’s belief that “art’s about life, and it can’t really be anything else” resonates throughout the series, as it does in many of his other well-known works. Hirst’s broader body of work often grapples with life’s transience, as seen in pieces like For the Love of God, a diamond-encrusted human skull, and The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, a preserved tiger shark suspended in formaldehyde. Collectively, these works establish Hirst as a leading figure in contemporary art, unflinchingly exploring the tension between life and death.
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Sanctum (2009)
Sanctum is a series of six etchings created by Damien Hirst in 2009. Each print features a delicate butterfly at its center, encircled by cascading, kaleidoscopic wings that radiate outward in intricate, geometric patterns. The vibrant colors and symmetrical design celebrate the butterfly—one of Hirst’s most enduring motifs since his first solo exhibition in 1991—as a symbol of transformation and beauty. While the natural form of the butterfly is central, the series also draws visual inspiration from stained-glass windows, echoing themes Hirst previously explored in his 2007 Cathedrals series. The concentric arrangements in Sanctum evoke the meditative qualities of mandalas, suggesting a broader, more multicultural influence. Each work is titled after an element of sacred architecture—Altar, Belfry, Chancel, Dome, Minaret, and Spire—blending references from both Christian and Islamic traditions. In doing so, Hirst transcends specific religious doctrine, presenting a universal, spiritual vision rooted in reverence, symmetry, and the natural world.
Where the Land Meets the Sea (2023)
This relatively new series marks a departure from Hirst’s more symbolic and spiritual works, focusing instead on landscape and abstraction. Where the Land Meets the Sea explores the meeting point between stability (land) and flux (sea), using heavy textures, gestural brushstrokes, and vibrant hues to depict abstracted aerial views of coastlines, estuaries, and seascapes.
Created as a reflection of Hirst’s time spent by the Devon coast, the series is both personal and topographical. Each print appears like a satellite image, blurring the line between cartography and expressionism. There’s a rawness to these pieces—an embrace of chaos and nature's unpredictability.
This body of work shows Hirst turning inward, connecting with the Earth rather than the heavens. It’s about place, memory, and physicality, offering a grounded contrast to the more celestial tones of Souls on Jacob’s Ladder or Sanctum. Yet it’s no less philosophical—its strength lies in its tactile immediacy and sense of motion.
Damien Hirst’s print works reveal an artist deeply engaged with process, symbolism, and material. These five series—The Virtues, The 12 Woodcuts, Souls on Jacob’s Ladder, Sanctum, and Where the Land Meets the Sea—each highlight different facets of Hirst’s worldview and artistic vocabulary.
Whether through the calm repetition of cherry blossoms, the delicate fragility of butterflies, or the powerful abstraction of coastal forms, Hirst’s prints continue to captivate collectors and critics alike. They remind us that even in reproducible media, profound beauty and existential depth can be found—and that Damien Hirst’s voice in contemporary art remains as vital and evolving. Discover Damien Hirst signed prints for sale or contact our gallery via info@guyhepner.com to sell Damien Hirst prints.
