Damien Hirst Donated Nearly $10 Million Worth of Art to the NHS, A New Report Unveils

Isiah Magsino, Town&Country, February 7, 2023

A new financial statement filed with Companies House, an executive agency of the British Government that maintains the register of companies, earlier this year unveiled that Damien Hirst, the United Kingdom's wealthiest artist, created and donated nearly $10 million dollars of work the National Health Service in 2020. However, it is not clear whether the “proceeds” equated to 100% of the sales value. 

According to the Art Newspaper, one of his most significant pieces was hisButterfly Heart design, a laminated gicleé print on aluminum composite panels. Limited prints were bought by more than 4,400 total people, with 3,109 purchasing small-sized prints priced at around $360 and large-sized prints priced at $1,300, according to an article in the Evening Standard. 

"I wanted to do something to support the brave people who are risking their lives to help those in need during this time of crisis," Hirst said in an Instagram post featuring an image of the artist holding a large-size version of the piece. "So, I'm selling Butterfly Rainbow to help fund the brilliant from being done by the NHS staff across the country."

Hirst dominated the art scene in the United Kingdom in the 1990s, as his allusions to death in his paintings, sculptures, and glass tank quickly rose to popularity. His series of artworks featuring a deceased shark, sheep, and cow preserved in formaldehyde catapulted him into art world fame. 

damien hirst gagosian
Death Denied, 2008, goes on view as part of the Damien Hirst "Natural History" Exhibition at Gagosian Gallery in London, England. COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

One of his most famous pieces was The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, which features a 14-foot tiger shark immersed in formaldehyde in a clear display case. The piece was privately sold by art collector Charles Saatchi to an anonymous American collector for around $8.5 million. To date, Hirst is worth $396 million. 

Currently, the Gagosian in London is hosting an exhibition titled Natural History, which is the first-ever show dedicated to Hirst's works from 1991 to 2021 employing formaldehyde. This exhibition is currently on view until March 9.