Empress #5 Taytu Betul

Damien Hirst (b. 1965, British) “Taytu Betul” (2022) from the artist’s series of five prints known as “The Empresses”. This piece is hand signed and numbered 995/2814 on a label on the verso [The edition consists of 1443 (Physical Editions)/1371 (NFT Deed)]. It is a laminated giclee print on aluminum composite panel, screen printed with glitter. It measures 100 x 100 cm (39.4 x 39.4 inches). This glorious red composition is infused with an exhilarating sense of speed and movement. It depicts Hirst’s butterflies (a common motif) consisting of red and black pairs of wings in a spiral swirl pattern. Beginning at the center and moving outward, the wings are supplemented by variously sized, colored, and patterned wings; all appearing as a dynamic, aerial view of the pack of butterflies.

Taytu Betul (c. 1851-1918) became empress of Ethiopia when she married Emperor Menelik in 1889 resulting in a powerful political union that combined northern and southern Ethiopia. Later expansion occurred through the formation of alliances as well as military force. Taytu Betul was a fierce ruler who was involved in most political decision-making, diplomacy, and military campaigns. During her reign, she also founded Addis Ababa, which remains Ethiopia’s capital city today.

Damien Hirst has long been fascinated by butterflies and they have often been included in his images. One reason is because of the way they could be used to explore themes of life and death. Butterflies also have a spiritual heritage and play a symbolic role in many religions. The spiritual heritage attached to the butterfly, along with the spectacular patterns Hirst creates in The Empresses collection indicate religious undertones which are a prominent theme in his work.

Early in 2022, HENI Editions presented “The Empresses” by Damien Hirst, a series of five glorious prints depicting carefully composed images of butterflies. Both prints and NFT Deeds were available to purchase between January 28th and February 4th, 2022. The final number of editions produced was limited by the demand for each print during this very limited period of time. The prints in this collection are all named after an Empress, linked to the notable historical periods in which they were influential. Included in the series are Wu Zetian, Empress Theodora (Byzantine), Nūr Jahān (the de-facto Empress of the Mughal Empire), Suiko, the first recorded empress of Japan, and Taytu Betul, the Empress of Ethiopia in the 19th century. The striking Empresses prints are constructed of beautiful images of red butterfly wings, which are intricately arranged with a filigree of red glitter to produce visually intoxicating kaleidoscope-like effects.