Damien Hirst (1965) - The Empresses: H10-3 Theodora

As one of today’s most important contemporary artists, Damien Hirst redefines femininity with Empresses a dazzling fusion of glitter, beauty, and timeless relevance.

This series of five laminated Giclée prints on aluminum composite features red and black butterfly wings arranged in kaleidoscopic patterns, in which Hirst reuses the butterfly as a symbol of freedom, religion, life, and death. The works are named after five influential female rulers and radiate strength, passion, and transformation.

Theodora, named after the great Byzantine empress who used her intellect and insight to bring lasting change to the empire, is an extraordinarily complex and dynamic composition. Pairs and single wings are distributed across the work in a state of organized chaos, creating the illusion of living butterflies vibrant and in motion.