Golden Monkey

2011

Black Granite

Overall dimensions: 164.7 × 63 × 48 cm (64 13/16 × 24 13/16 × 18 7/8 in.)

A finely carved monkey sitting on a trunk strikes an expressive pose, his right hand scratching his head and his left holding an ear of corn. Despite its title, Golden Monkey, the work is made of luxurious black granite that catches the light and enhances the body’s stylised shapes. The monkey theme brings an exotic touch to the cargo of the Apistos, the ancient ship where this sculpture was "found".

Unlike many other works by Damien Hirst in "Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable", the Golden Monkey is in an excellent "state of preservation". The flawless rendering brings the work close to its namesake, the Golden Monkey, also created by the British artist for the show.

Hirst’s Golden Monkey is in the Pinault Collection. It was presented for the first time at the Punta della Dogana in 2017.
Exhibitions
Damien Hirst's other artwork