Damien Hirst: The Complete Psalm Paintings

This book offers a detailed look at Damien Hirst's Psalm Paintings, showcasing their beauty and the profound themes they explore.

This beautifully illustrated book is a comprehensive survey of Damien Hirst's Psalm Paintings, showcasing 150 works that blend iridescent butterfly wings with paint on canvas. The resulting kaleidoscopic patterns evoke the intricate designs of Gothic stained glass windows and the circular motifs found in Buddhist mandalas. Dating back to 2008, these paintings explore Hirst's enduring themes of beauty, belief, life, and death, offering a visual feast that invites contemplation and reflection.

Accompanying each fully illustrated painting is the Old Testament prayer that inspired its title, rendered on images of carefully chosen marble samples. This thoughtful pairing enhances the viewer's experience, bridging the gap between visual art and spiritual text. Art writers Michael Bracewell and Amie Corry contribute essays that delve into the significance of these works, with Bracewell noting how the Psalm Paintings intertwine fundamental concepts such as beauty and the power of belief in the face of mortality.

The Complete Psalm Paintings serves as an exquisite companion to one of Hirst's most beautiful series, highlighting his fascination with natural history and the intricate relationships between life, death, art, and faith. With a career spanning decades, Hirst has established himself as one of the most influential artists of his generation, and this collection reflects his innovative approach to contemporary art.