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Damien Hirst Painting Set to Fetch $2.5m at Auction
It’s never a surprise to see a Damien Hirst painting go for eye-popping figures at auction, and the iconic British artist is set to once again show the enduring popularity of his distinctive work at a high-profile sale.
Hirst’s famed Bodies' painting, which was purchased by collector Robert Tibbles for just $1,000 back in 1989, is expected to fetch an incredible $2.5 million when it goes under the hammer at Phillips Berkeley Square London headquarters between 20 December and 5 January.
Offered as part of the ‘Robert Tibbles Collection’, the painting features a realistic medicine cabinet rendered in glass, particleboard, wood, plastic, and aluminium that is filled with empty medication packaging.
The exclusive artwork has been showcased publicly only three times since it was purchased and was last seen at the Tate Modern in 2012. It is touted as one of the most provocative pieces by Hirst and is widely considered to be one of his best works to date.
Speaking about the painting, Mr Tibbles said, “There’s something very primal about having a product which you associate with something personal, like your health, put in a public way like that.”
The collection will also include works by Michael Craig-Martin, Gilbert & George, Julian Opie, Gary Hume, and Sarah Morris, each of which will be sold across multiple sales in 2020.