Gagosian Gallery, Los Angeles
Private Collection, New York
Sotheby's, New York, November 11, 2009, lot 53
Acquired by the present owner from the above sale

Los Angeles and London, Gagosian Gallery, Damien Hirst: Superstition, February - April 2007, p. 67, illustrated in color (Los Angeles only)

This work appears in very good condition overall. The surface is bright and fresh. There are minor paint losses at the corner of the artists frame, resulting from light wear and handling.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

"It's like we're all trying to find a pathway through the darkness and you need a bit of science and a bit of religion but it is impossible to live without belief." Damien Hirst

Echoing the magnificent effects of the celebrated windows which are found at the Notre Dame Cathedrals of Paris and Chartres, The Old Fool's Paradise by Damien Hirst, shimmers with the promise of a world beyond the present one, of life after death. Like the stained-glass windows of centuries past, the present work astonishes the onlooker with its superlative beauty, while simultaneously demonstrating the artist's extreme fascination with life and death and the inherent beauty which lies within both.

Hirst began work on this particular chapter of his famed Butterfly Series in 2001. The butterfly is a recurring symbol in Renaissance painting, typically symbolizing resurrection and rejuvenation. Additionally, it is a creature of timeless beauty that spans numerous cultural and religious beliefs. Thus, it is perfectly fitting for Hirst to use this magnificent and universal creature in one of his most important and celebrated series. These large-scale, mosaic-like paintings are a masterful culmination of the series through the highly structured and intricate design.  The Old Fool's Paradise is composed of particularly-placed butterfly wings as opposed to the previously scattered compositions of butterflies seemingly captured mid-flight against vibrant pools of color. In the present work, each precious wing is an individually chosen element of the artist's intention, like an artist choosing colors from a palate, resulting in an image of heavenly beauty along with a lasting impression of unmatched splendor. The Old Fool's Paradise is a purposeful, contemplative construction of🌳 ethꦬereal intricacy, of order versus chaos.