
Damien Hirst
45.7 x 45.7 cm
In 2008, Hirst embarked on a remarkable journey with the Psalm paintings, naming each after an Old Testament psalm. As part of his broader Kaleidoscope series, the Psalm paintings transcend religious boundaries, inviting interpretations that range from the deeply personal to the universally resonant.
The symbolism within Psalms draws parallels between spirituality and the metamorphosis of butterflies. These works evoke the rich imagery of Christian iconography and the luminous hues of stained glass, while also hinting at the intricate patterns found in Hindu and Buddhist mandalas. Hirst's fascination with butterflies, described as a universal trigger, is evident throughout these pieces. He sees them as symbols that transcend the personal, tapping into shared human experiences of beauty and fragility.
At first glance, Beatus Qui Intelligit exudes a sense of hopefulness and vibrancy, celebrating the delicate yet awe-inspiring patterns of butterfly wings. However, beneath this surface beauty lies a deeper complexity. Like many of Hirst's creations, the Psalms paintings navigate the delicate balance between life and death. They serve as both dazzling representations of the natural world and somber reminders of mortality—a poignant memento mori.
Hirst's choice of imagery prompts contemplation on the nature of beauty and transience. Do these paintings signify the beauty, poignancy, and uplifting aspects of existence? Or do they simply remind us of life's fleeting and fragile nature? Beatus Qui Intelligit, like the Psalms series as a whole, invites viewers into a thought-provoking dialogue about the profound and often paradoxical aspects of human experience.
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Quare Fremuerunt Gentes, 2009
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Damien Hirst, Psalm : Ad Te , Domine , Levavi, 2009
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Damien Hirst, Psalm : Ad Te Domine, Levai, 2009
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Damien Hirst, Psalm : Domine, Dominus Noster, 2010
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Damien Hirst, Psalm : Verba Mea Auribus, 2009
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Damien Hirst, Psalm : Verba Mea Auribus (Diamond Dust), 2009
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Expectans Expectavi, 2015
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Diligam Te Domine (diamond dust), 2009
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Domini est terra, 2010
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Judica Domine, 2015
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Judica, Domino, 2016
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Benedictus Dominus, 2009
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Miserere Mei Deus, 2016
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Confitebor Tibi, 2009
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Benedicam Domino, 2015
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Dixit Insipiens, 2009
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Domino Confido, 2009
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Domine, Ne in Furore, 2010
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Quare Fremuerunt Gentes, 2009
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Damien Hirst, Psalm: Quare Fremuerunt Gentes, 2009