The Empresses (Collection), 2022

Since the start of his career, Hirst has frequently used the butterfly, a motif inspired by a studio encounter and Victorian tea tray patterns. In The Empresses, he builds on the kaleidoscopic and mandala-inspired compositions from previous works. The prints feature symmetrical, asymmetrical, and spiral arrangements of butterflies that evoke life and movement. Printed on laminated Giclée aluminium with glitter, the butterflies' wings appear almost lifelike. Glitter, a playful material previously used by Hirst, enhances the joyful tone of the series, which references both powerful female rulers and the Empress Butterfly.

The Empresses explores themes of freedom, life, death, and religion while celebrating female power, glory, and nation-building. The series consists of five prints, each named after a legendary female ruler: Wu Zetian, Nūr Jahān, Theodora, Suiko, and Taytu Betul. The dominant red tones symbolize life, power, love, and war. Ransom Art offers these prints individually or as a full set.