Damien Hirst

“Wu Zetian” is perhaps the most austere and powerful composition in Damien Hirst’s acclaimed “The Empresses” series. Named after the only woman to ever officially reign as Empress of China, this work embodies structure, strategy, and absolute dominance. While other works in the series often appear playful, here we see a clear, almost hypnotic geometry: a central pair of butterflies is surrounded by concentric circles and a hexagonal structure. This arrangement is no accident; it subtly alludes to the number six, which in Chinese tradition symbolizes harmony and completeness.

The work captivates with its radical color palette of deep black and striking red. Here, too, Hirst employs the technically demanding method of giclée printing on a solid aluminum composite panel. It is important to understand that this is not a paper print behind glass—the surface is exposed, allowing the tactile qualities of the material and the glitter screen print to be directly experienced. The glitter isn't used as kitsch, but rather as a means of refraction: it lends the flat pictorial space an illusory depth that makes the butterflies appear lifelike.

With this work, Damien Hirst once again demonstrates why he has dominated the international art world since the 1990s. He takes the motif of the butterfly—typically a symbol of brevity—and immortalizes it through industrial materials. "Wu Zetian" is more than a painting; it is a manifesto of feminine strength and artistic precision. The work dates from 2022, measures 100 x 100 cm, and is in pristine condition. For collectors seeking a Hirst piece that offers both intellectual depth and tremendous visual impact, this edition is the ideal choice.