Woodcut in colours, 2010, on Somerset paper, signed in pencil, numbered from the edition of 48 on the reverse, published by The Paragon Press, London, 102 x 102 cm. (40¼ x 40¼ in.)

Tryptophan is a woodcut print from Damien Hirst’s 12 Woodcut Spots series, created in 2010. The square composition features three rows of three spots, each identical in size and shape but differing in colour. Throughout Hirst’s extensive body of work, each spot painting showcases a unique combination of colours. The 12 Woodcut Spots series is a distinct exploration of colour and form, characteristic of Hirst’s style.

This series is reminiscent of Hirst’s Pharmaceutical paintings, which span his career and are among his most prolific works. The titles in this series are randomly selected from the Sigma-Aldrich catalogue ‘Biochemicals for Research and Diagnostic Reagents’, which Hirst first encountered in the early 1990s.