Damien Hirst. For the love of God (2007) in publications, exhibitions

Perhaps I’ve confused some readers with this introduction. So, let me start out by stating: I love Damien Hirst’s skull, otherwise titled For the love of God (2007). Why, you might be asking? Because this work designed by Hirst and his team brilliantly fuses the media / communications potential of an artwork with its artistic expression. And with the skull’s complementary contexts, this media / communications combo (the artwork and its language) propelled its reach far beyond the art world, securing it a wider range of media coverage, even to the point of hitting the headlines in several countries.

For the love of God, and the furor surrounding it, also crossed language barriers with incredible speed and efficacy. My jaw dropped the day I saw the skull and the reported sale on my msn.nl start-up screen— in Dutch. I wish I had set up a daily alert on Google to record the rise in Google hits across the world’s top 25 languages, to watch this snowballing media and Internet discourse in full multilingual action.

In a strand of my previous writings, I’ve focused on the artwork, its embedded language, and its embedded media / communications power. I’ve referred to the power of visual elements and the principles of design, effective copywriting, and press relations— within the context of critical media analysis. This work has included analyses of media-savvy designer Philippe Starck and artists Marc Quinn and Tracey Emin— plus a rare interview, my favorite actually, with the creative mind behind Press Relations and Publications at White Cube gallery.[1]

What strikes me about the skull is its giant stride forward in media coverage— bejeweled, bizarre, and bewitching— and what lurks at the heart of this interest— price. Pounds, dollars— “most expensive ever,” our dear skull has demonstrated new opportunities in international cross-media coverage for contemporary artworks. This impact, and the context of the work, shows the power of media / communications strategies when embedded in a work and combined with visual art language and expression. The synergy makes one question to what extent combined media strategies (mass media and visual media) are driving some artistic practices and ask if what is surfacing is like a staged art intervention. The extent to which this can be characterized as performative art is contentious and up for debate.[2]

Anyone who takes media/communications opportunities seriously cannot be unimpressed, especially when one considers the size of the team that probably produced the results. At the end of the day, this impressive achievement probably occurred on a relatively minimal budget for press planning and relations (when compared to the outlays of much larger organizations). It was no surprise when the artwork-artist-gallery-celebrity combo spilled into art, lifestyle, and entertainment / celebrity magazines and newspaper sections— such a development was somewhat predictable after the media/ communications design benchmarks of Philippe Starck hotel projects a decade earlier.[3]

But with the skull, the price appeared to drive almost all of the coverage. Consider the following searches: [“Damien Hirst” +“skull” +“50m”] (circa 755 Google hits); +“100m” (416 hits); +“50 million” (746 hits); +“100 million” (575 hits); +“million” (45,300 hits); +“millions” (10,900 hits); +“pounds” (10,400 hits); and +“dollars” (13,500 hits). A search on “most expensive” pulls up about 11,100 hits led by The Guardian, the New York Times, BBC News, the International Herald Tribune, and the powerful new medium, Wikipedia. When you subtract all of these price-oriented terms and phrases, the Google count plummets from 108,000 to just 494 hits.

This price-led dependence, recalling large sales figures trotted out by auction houses, helps to account for the skull’s magnetism in international business and news media, something that would have been nearly impossible before today’s highspeed information flows. In, say 1998, a few hundred press results would have impressed, and it would have been very time-consuming to collect good samples and estimates. Now, however, the stakes have reached a new level with tens of thousands of easily searchable possibilities that give a kind of overview. Just go to Google, enter your search terms, click, and search for yourself.

Other interesting things pop up when you examine the coverage. For example, [“Damien Hirst” +“skull” +“diamond”] racks up about 61,600 hits, including Artnews and [anthropology.net], as well as ABC news in the U.S. Switch to “diamonds,” and the first 20 hits include the Daily Mail, [bloomberg.com], and Reuters, as well as White Cube. [“Damien Hirst” +“skull” +“It works much better than I imagined”] (circa 158 hits); +“I was slightly worried that we’d end up with an Ali G ring” (circa 91 hits); and +“I wouldn’t mind if it happened to my skull after my death” (circa 117 hits) show samples of quote delivery and media result multiplication. Here, the results are not so impressive. But then try +“George Michael” (the singer was reportedly interested in making an offer on the skull), and about 13,300 hits appear: a clear expansion into celebrity, music, and, once again, general news outlets.

Another interesting search concerns the language of the work as presented on the gallery Web site: “explor[ing] the fundamental themes of human existence— life, death, love, immortality and art itself.”[4] I searched the second part of the sentence, and only five hits emerged, then switched to [“Damien Hirst” +life +death +truth +love +immortality], drawing an unimpressive 389 hits.

Why this disconnect between the numerous appearances of sensational phrasing and the paltry showing of more elevated themes? Are the vast majority of the world’s print and Web editors unimpressed, or unexcited, by drier, thematic language? And how do we make sense of the dissociation between more specialist art classification (top-down approach) and non-specialist language that uses phrasing drawn from the fundamentals of art language (visual elements, principles, materials, context)?

For me, writings that do not account for the media/communications power, in other words, the “sex, drugs and rock n’ roll”[5] of For the love of God and works like it have bypassed the visual experience[6] of the piece to engage in a more elevated discourse removed from the art. Elevating language above elements, principles, materials, and contexts does not account for the work’s mass media power or media / communications orientation. A combined analysis based on the fundamentals of artistic construction, paralleled with those of media / communications is the only way to account for such widespread cross-media coverage, with all but George Michael built directly into the art product.

The skull demonstrates the effectiveness of sensation-based media / communications art. Honey Luard, White Cube’s head of Press Relations and Publications, believes that both aspects can co-exist in and around the same artwork, without the hype tarnishing the art. In 2002, she told me, “If a certain amount of hype means that it happens, means that all the resources available are marshaled together to make it happen, even if it goes out in a huge fanfare with lots of flashing lights— like some of the White Cube openings with the paparazzi waiting outside. People criticize it for all of the perceived hype, but all of that does fall away, and does so very quickly. What you’re left with— you hope— [is] some very good art, and some decent writing. This can then be built upon.”[7]

No love is perfect, including my love for Damien’s skull. While the media coverage maximization represents a sort of benchmark at this time, and it appears to fit the objectives of the stakeholders, what about competing artists and galleries? While it can be argued that the more attention paid to contemporary art is a positive step, will this approach crowd out others as brand-naming gains more power? We’ve seen this with the English language, with local/national musicians, filmmakers, and TV producers being crowded out by their more high-profile, often American, competitors. Will the result be that more media-savvy artworks, artist practices, and teams gain a comparable, greater share of the market?

Only time will tell, but I should mention that the £50m skull, like its media discourse, has multiplied. Five silkscreen print editions are on offer, all available through Hirst’s Web site [othercriteria.com]. Three in editions of 250, at £10,000 each. One edition of 750 at £5,000 each. And another of 1,700 at £900— each (prices do not include Value Added Tax; estimated shipping time: eight weeks).

R. J. Preece

References:
[1] See “Just a Load of Shock?: A Conversation with Marc Quinn”, Sculpture, October 2000; reprinted in Conversations on Sculpture (ISC Press, 2007); “Artist Over—and In—The Broadsheets”, Parkett, 63, 2001. This essay on Emin’s work addresses her involvement in media/communications; as agreed, Emin approved the text prior to publication. “Behind the Scenes: Now It’s Honey’s Turn”, Make, 92, 2002. Honey Luard was offered and accepted text approval prior to publication, with the agreement of then-Make editor Patricia Ellis. Also, see comments by Mark Pimlott in Sculpture 23(4) in relation to Starck hotels and Hirst/Emin/Quinn.

[2] Clearly the precedents here include Andy Warhol, Chris Burden, Jeff Koons, and Mark Kostabi, with parallels to Tracey Emin and Spencer Tunick.

[3] My MA thesis examined 100 published press results of a Philippe Starck-designed hotel on Miami Beach.

[4] Search done on October 1, 2007.

[5] This is a boiled-down description offered by Patricia Ellis. (See interview below.)

[6] See Robert Storr’s comments in the 2007 Venice Biennial catalogue, volume I, p. 18. Storr directs viewers to look at the sensation-rich elements of the work of El Anatsui as a starting point, with reference to an excerpt of my published interview with the artist in Sculpture, vis-à-vis more art historically contextualized readings, which in this instance, he finds problematic.

[7] Honey Luard, quoted in “Behind the Scenes: Now It’s Honey’s Turn,” op. cit., p. 24.

He wanted to share this discussion, which would normally be a behind-the-scenes conversation, with Sculpture readers (with her approval). Ellis is a freelance art writer (she has written essays for several well-known institutions including the Saatchi Gallery), curator, and artist in London. She was the editor of Make and a former news editor of Flash Art and has occasionally appeared on international broadcasts, including the BBC. [...]

R. J. Preece: I’m seeing a disconnect between the way art is elevated in language and the sensational phrasing that is multiplying the, at least, non-art-centered coverage. What do you think of this?

Patricia Ellis: I think it’s just that art engages with different audiences in different ways. You’ve got the “professional audience” and the “public audience”— the people who come to art through its coverage in mainstream media. I think that there has always been a bit of a disconnect. If you ask Joe Public about Van Gogh, for example, he’s “the guy without the ear”; maybe they know his Sunflowers. I think often the general public only become acquainted with art when there is hype and buzz.

R. J. Preece: So are we saying that art people, while they recognize and are perhaps moved by the highly sensational elements, prefer to use this elevated language to describe it?

Patricia Ellis: To a certain extent. I think that many “professionals” love the sensationalism, as it opens up new dialogues for approaching art criticism. A lot of writing from 20 or 30 years ago was very theoretical, critical, and quite dry. Along with the emergence of the YBAs, and increased mass media coverage of art, critical writing has in many cases become more performative, clever, and innovative in its strategies. It’s more accessible. But you still have a lot of “academic” writing as well.

Damien Hirst’s skull piece is incredibly glamorous and sensational: real skull, real diamonds— it’s obscene opulence and indulgence. In many ways, this is the critical context of the work— the critical dialogue exists within the sensationalist hype of the piece. For me, the iconography of the piece isn’t so interesting— the bling disco death-head thing has been done before in more impoverished variations. The interesting thing is the brazen fetishization and attitude— Hirst’s done it for real, using real diamonds, real cash.

R. J. Preece: Do you think that the rather effective media/communications elements are within the work?

Patricia Ellis: The skull piece was most likely anticipated to create a huge interest through a wide variety of media. I’m sure that Hirst did not make the piece and then go, “Oh my God! I can’t believe I’m on television in America.” But I think these elements are actually part of the life, death, (im)mortality concepts of Damien Hirst’s work. If you look at how media operates it’s very much about temporality, multiplication, and the sublime. Hirst is not so dissimilar from Andy Warhol. He is a global brand. I don’t think you can separate it. I think it is definitely part of the concept of his work.

R. J. Preece: So in essence, you agree with what I’ve been going on about.

Patricia Ellis: I think that all artists are hyper-aware of how their work is transacted and received. Visual art has its own language. You make things using that language to articulate an idea, direct its interpretation. It’s entirely possible to appropriate the media structures surrounding the work as part of that statement.

R. J. Preece: But the art press is not having this kind of discussion?

Patricia Ellis: The art press isn’t really interested in how many Google hits Damien Hirst got— or why. It addresses a relatively small audience, like any publication written by and for “professionals.” It’s a small world: you’re often reading about people you actually know. Art press doesn’t usually discuss how art is situated in the mainstream, basically because everyone is very familiar with and has their own understanding of how this works. Art media acts as a forum for a much more in-depth investigation into the concerns of contemporary practice. Its concerns are very distinct from media hype. It may be “elevated” as you suggest, but if it wasn’t we’d simply only appreciate art for its shock, financial, or social worthiness value. So “yes” to elevation— the higher the better!

R. J. Preece: So would you interpret Hirst as playing this at both an art world level and a more mainstream level? And is this central to his work?

Patricia Ellis: Yes, of course, in a very sophisticated way.

Tension between art, marketing, and celebrity defined this installation of the diamond skull and the accompanying exhibition of 17th-century art guest-curated by Damien Hirst. [1] The same tension may also explain why Hirst’s work is difficult to place. It seems to touch early 21st-century life in global capitalism: installed with intense Caravaggesque lighting beamed strategically from above, the entire package was designed to dazzle as well as repulse. But most of all, it was designed to get people talking.

What’s particularly impressive about For the Love of God, and its accompanying exhibition, is how it generates a wide range of strong reactions— and how it seems to marshal so many key issues and strategies, with impressive quantitative results. This success is arguably led by the skull’s sensational form, costly materials, and price on the one hand, and its themes—both intellectual and emotional—such as greed, death, and immortality on the other. Its placement inside a prestigious and historical European art collection not only added a new context for the work to generate discussions about meaning, it also acted as an additional media / communications power-layer and talking point. At the same time, we see brand strengthening not only for the skull, the new rock star, but also for Damien Hirst, the art star, as well as for the Rijksmuseum.

At first, I found For the Love of God a bit like an over-the-top freak-object, a disco death-head, almost camp. Are all of these diamonds real? But what struck me was that the skull appears smaller and more fragile than its confident appearance in photographs and on television. This draws an important distinction between original and mass-media re-presentation in relation to discussions on celebrities.

Set inside a glass case, this precious item of highly exclusive global privilege also became a public object for visitors who paid to enter the chapel for the unique experience and entertainment. Questioning many things about money, celebrity, cult of personality, and mass media, the work looks like a twisted, isolated, painful trap. Is this what Damien Hirst has learned on his remarkable journey? How symbolic and how personal is this object?

The skull perhaps radiates a certain truth of our time, magnified by the extreme cost of the materials (reportedly £12 million) and its equally extreme sale price (£50 million), pushed by increasingly networked capitalist and global hierarchies—and with them, the international art hierarchy. The packaging of the object, however, may be deceptive. Like today’s vulnerable corporations, a skull with 8,601 flawless diamonds appears in principle to run the risk of being dismantled for higher profit— especially the branded Skull Star Diamond placed in the forehead. In any event, the material itself is also an investment.

After a few minutes of our group’s viewing, low light filled the space and unexpectedly revealed two security guards standing against the walls. I was reminded of the darkness in Rembrandt’s Night Watch (1642), on view next to Damien Hirst’s curated exhibition. The details of the skull’s current ownership likewise remain in darkness after the dramatic media coverage of its sale. [2] And just six weeks before the opening of the Rijksmuseum installation, it was announced internationally and extensively that an auction of Damien Hirst’s work raised £95.7 million from the sale of 223 lots at Sotheby’s in London. I am not concerned about the details of these sales. What matters to me is that they were announced— unleashed, picked up, printed, reprinted, accelerated, translated, and multiplied across global media. But beneath the surface text, intense darkness remains.

Stepping out into the artificial light of the museum and back among the public, I entered the accompanying exhibition of 16 paintings from the Rijksmuseum collection selected by Damien Hirst. I was struck by how he was allowed to achieve a traditional desire of the artist— contextualization into Art History. In addition, the show demonstrated an innovative, effective approach to historical and contemporary art partnerships, artist brand-building, and rock star recognition.

The 16 paintings were divided into five sections. Most important were those drawing connections to the skull and themes of mortality; [then] a group of [four] morality paintings showing life’s choices; a political commentary and a landscape; a bizarre triptych consisting of still-life imagery. Four works related to a [fifth] section of public/private [personae, by a still-life] showing a keen eye for detail, a depiction of the expulsion from Eden, and a 17th-century bacchanal scene, [which itself referred to an earlier time period, the Greco-Roman.] A standard museum produced label was located next to each work, and Damien Hirst offered his take— in Dutch and English.

Damien Hirst & the diamond skull at the Rijksmuseum, exterior promotional image, 2008-09.

Drawing a connection between the skull, as well as life and inevitable death, Damien Hirst included Hendrick Bloemaert’s Woman selling eggs (1632), commenting, "A great image. The beginning and the end. I love the way the egg makes us think of a skull although her skull is protected by the scarves." One of my favorite selections was Satire on the Trial of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (1663). Hirst comments: "Heaven or hell? You decide. It seems like too many magic mushrooms to me. He’s definitely gone too far down one of those roads, too far to turn back. I feel sorry for him but then part of me thinks he’s having some kind of fun."

At this point, I started to question the cheeky, mediagenic, populist quotations. Here, a dual discourse— art specialist and populist-sensational— was presented. I was struck by how much Damien Hirst sounded like some BFA students commenting on historical works. I was also reminded how this used to irritate my art history lecturers. Is this what Hirst really thinks, or are these quotations supposed to represent what the public persona of Damien Hirst should say?

Parallel media campaign: Marc Quinn - Kate Moss - solid gold

A somewhat parallel visual and verbal exhibition-campaign was taking place at the same time at the British Museum, where Siren, Marc Quinn’s reportedly solid gold sculpture depicting supermodel Kate Moss, appeared as part of Statuephilia. As with Damien Hirst’s diamonds, the material for the sensational 50-kilogram statue—reported to be worth £1.5 million— could conceivably be "deconstructed" for its own value, in this case melted down. Marc Quinn’s work could end up as some sort of saleable multiple with the added value of the material originally being part of a famous artwork on view in the prestigious British Museum. In both cases, the objects achieve new sensation levels and public attention based on apparent extravagance as opposed to possible material investment with added art publicity value.

Marc Quinn opts for celebrity subject matter with a borderline shocking pose. This provides five visual and verbal media / communications layers to the work: the material, the cost of material, the celebrity subject matter, the sensational yoga pose, and the prestigious and potentially discussion-generating siting. There’s a sixth point too, stated in the press release: "Quinn’s work is the largest gold statue since Ancient Egypt." In the museum, the work was juxtaposed with classical statuary. The British Museum received comparable benefits to those enjoyed by the Rijksmuseum, benefits that extended to sponsors and museum partners. In addition, "Kate Moss" is a language device that enables movement into the fashion and lifestyle trade presses. It’s all visible via a Google search. For the art press, it’s arguably more effective to communicate the specialized language of the visual art outside of its marketing and mass-media contexts.

These two artworks demonstrate an innovative new kind of visual and verbal communications strategy, showing the building of icons and brands by artists and their teams. But the rock star and Damien Hirst, building on the work of their art star predecessors, create a real challenge. Maybe art writing and art history need to connect more with the frameworks offered and developed in other disciplines, at least when art, marketing, and celebrity begin to intersect. Here, the music industry, brand-building, mass-media research, defining target groups, and evaluating public relations campaigns all seem relevant.

Looking back into history, we know that some artworks end up marshalling crucially diverse elements and representing their time. For the Love of God may indeed be the artwork of our time. Love it. Hate it. Be bored by it. These reactions don’t seem to matter. In the meantime, visitors kept lining up to visit and pay homage to that skull in the dark room. The controversy and discussions continue. The media reports multiply. And the brand continues to build more recognition. I’m convinced that this event could serve as a case study for other fields in mass media, public relations, marketing, and business contexts.

Specializations enable great developments and insights. But they run the risk of becoming so narrow that they lose the larger picture. Of course, Damien Hirst’s project is designed in part to offend— that’s partly what it’s about. But in the end, it’s a very generous gift with a great deal of knowledge. It’s also an Orwellian warning, demonstrating how so many of us globally can be activated, at the cost of almost nothing.

References:
[1] See John A. Walker, Art and Celebrity (2003) and Art in the Age of Mass Media (3rd. ed., 2001), both published by Pluto Press, for an overview of the general issues.

[2] See my article "Why I Love Damien Hirst’s Skull", Sculpture, January / February 2008, pp. 42-45, for a report on the impressive international news coverage. (See section B.1. above.)

Those in attendance included myself, Rijksmuseum director Wim Pijbes, the 20th / 21st century curator, the 17th century Dutch art curator, a press officer and Belgian and German journalists.

After a lengthy overview presentation about the visual art and proposed context by the Rijks staff, a Q&A developed focusing exclusively on why we were there: because of marketing, media relations and journalism.

Here are some excerpts of the conversation:

Damien Hirst’s diamond skull at the Rijksmuseum: Act I

German journalist: Would you be willing to tell us how much Mr. Hirst charged?

Pijbes: Nothing. There were costs of course to put up the exhibition…

German journalist: So, no honorarium for the artist…

Damien Hirst’s diamond skull at the Rijksmuseum: Act II

Belgian journalist: Who owns the skull?

Pijbes: We’re not allowed to [say]… it’s normal museum practice. When objects are in private hands, [we do] not disclose the owner.

Belgian journalist: I trust you won’t say it, and I trust everything said here has been completely true, but… it’s very marketing-like actually. He just sold [works] for millions at Sotheby’s. This is a beautiful… stunt.

That’s why I think the question of the owner is important.

Pijbes: Like most museums, we loan a lot of artworks every year. Of course, there’s always this aspect that if a high prestige museum puts a work in an exhibition, and makes a catalogue, that people will come. It will push the value of the work of art. That’s the system.

When you write about it, the same happens.

German journalist: Whatever we write.

[Nervous laughter occurred around the table.]

Pijbes: But this [installation] is in a category in itself.

It doesn’t make any difference if the Rijksmuseum put this on view or not. It doesn’t add to the value of the work.

[Belgian journalist chuckles, sounding in disbelief.]

Damien Hirst’s diamond skull at the Rijksmuseum: Act III

Preece: Was this decision made easily by the Rijksmuseum? Were there lots of discussions about whether to do this or not?

Pijbes: Last year, it was mentioned to the supervisory board, of which I was on prior to becoming the director last July. We all said, "Yes, it was a good idea". Of course, there was discussion, but not controversial discussion. It was a logical thing to put the skull here.

The Rijksmuseum is an open-minded institution and looks very closely at what’s going on in society. We’re a 21st century institution with a splendid, award-winning website, with many young visitors, etc. It’s a perfect thing for the Rijksmuseum.

Preece: The first stop of this proposed tour is the Netherlands, and we can expect a certain amount of media response from this. There was after all a gaint surge in coverage in London last year.

Do you think this is good for [the representation of] the Netherlands in the world?

Pijbes: Yes. It will attract people—and gives a new aspect to the image of Rijksmuseum as well. It boosts our image. Of course we do the Old Masters but we are not a "yesterday institution". It’s for now. And Damien Hirst shows this in a very strong way.

In this sense, it’s good for Holland, internationally known as an open-minded, small country, with an international focus, and open to new ideas.

In this sense, it’s a very Dutch project.

Belgian journalist: [An] intentionally quite controversial [project]…

2007 - spotlighted wire service article, three photos - Damien’s diamond skull on view at White Cube, London

Lovell, Jeremy. (1 June 2007). Hirst covers cast skull in diamonds [with four photos of Damien Hirst’s For the love of God]. Reuters. (Viewed 1 October 2021. Q00570).

• Online - Reuters website.

2007 - spotlighted wire service article, photos - Damien’s diamond skull reported to sell for USD$100 million

Lovell, Jeremy (London). (30 August 2007). Hirst’s diamond skull sells for $100 million [with two photos of Damien Hirst’s For the love of God, one with Hirst]. Reuters. (Viewed 17 September 2021. Q00390).

• Online - Reuters website.

2007 - feature article - Hirst’s diamond skull to be on view at White Cube, London

Brooks, Richard. (29 April 2007). Hirst skull on sale for £50m. Sunday Times (London), p. 2. (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00611).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull to be on view at White Cube, London

(1 May 2007). Skulduggery from Damien? [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Evening Standard newspaper (London), p. 1. (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00612).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull to be on view at White Cube

Brooks, Richard. (6 May 2007). Damien Hirst’s shark [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Sunday Times (London), p. 14. (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00613).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - feature article

Leyden, Fleur (News Corp Australia). (18 May 2007). Shock art with price to match [regarding Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Herald Sun (Melbourne, VIC, Australia), p. 45. (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00614).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - feature mention - Hirst’s diamond skull to be on view at White Cube, London

Cosic, Miriam (News Corp Australia). (19 May 2007). Now you’ve just got to have art; Arts editor Miriam Cosic talks to international expert Tim Marlow about the booming art market [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Weekend Australian (Canberra, A. C. T., Australia), p. 27. (Viewed 16 October 2021. Q00615).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - feature article - Hirst’s diamond skull soon on view at White Cube, London

Aspden, Peter. (25 May 2007). "What else can you spend your money on?" [with significant mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. FT.com (Financial Times) (London), p. 1. (Viewed 16 October 2021. Q00616).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - TV show announcement - Hirst on BBC2

(26 May 2007). Friday: Pick of the day ["... Newsnight Review Special with Damien Hirst; BBC2, 11pm; The artist... gives a rare interview to Kirsty Wark, in which he discussed his work and latest creation— potentially the most expensive piece ever made— a cast of a human skull with over 8,000 diamonds"]. Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland, UK), p. 46. (Viewed 27 October 2021. Q00617).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - TV show announcement - Hirst on BBC2

(26 May 2007). Newsnight Review Special with Damien Hirst 11pm; Pick of the day [regarding Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. The Independent newspaper (UK), p. 1. (Viewed 27 October 2021. Q00618).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - TV listings mention

(27 May 2007). Friday 1 June; Choices ["11pm BBC2; Kirsty Wark conducts a special extended interview with... Damien Hirst. He talks about his new works, potentially the most expensive piece ever created— a cast of a human skull covered with 8,000 diamonds."] The Independent (UK), p. 1. (Viewed 5 October 2021. Q00619).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - webpage for BBC2 interview of Damien Hirst

(1 June 2007). Damien Hirst special [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. BB2 Newsnight Review / BBC News. (Viewed 27 October 2021. Q00814).

• Online - BBC News website.

2007 - feature article, photo - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

(1 June 2007). The GBP50m diamond geezer; Damien Hirst unveils jewel skull, the most expensive art ever created [presumably with photo of the artwork]. Evening Standard (London, UK), p. 1. (Viewed 27 October 2021. Q00621).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - feature article, photo - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

(1 June 2007). Hirst unveils £50m diamond skull [with photo of For the love of God with Hirst]. BBC News. (Viewed 22 September 2021. Q00426).

• Online - BBC News website.

2007 - feature article - Hirst’s diamond skull on view at White Cube, London

Aspden, Peter. (1 June 2007). GBP50m price tag on diamond-encrusted skull [with mention of Hirst’s For the love of God on view at White Cube, London]. Financial Times (UK) (online). Hard copy version, 2 June 2007, p. 4). (Viewed 4 October 2021. Q00622; Q00822).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - article - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Hackworth, Nick. (1 June 2007). A brilliant hymn to our times [review of Hirst’s exhibition including his diamond skull, For the love of God; presumably no photo]. Evening Standard newspaper (London, UK), p. 1. (Viewed 27 October 2021. Q00620).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - feature article, four photos

Martin, Arthur. (1 June 2007). Damien Hirst unveils his jewels in the crown, a £50m diamond-studded skull [with four photos of Hirst’s For the love of God, one of them with Hirst]. Daily Mail newspaper. [Printed in hard copy on 2 June 2007.] (Updated 28 October 2021. Q00568; Q00816).

• Online - Daily Mail website.

2007 - news brief

(2 June 2007). GBP50m skull is sparkler [possibly with photo of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland, UK), p. 21. (Viewed 9 November 2021. Q00818).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

(2 June 2007). Damien’s diamonds are skull’s best friend [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God, possibly with photo]. The Gloucestershire Echo (Gloucestershire, England), p. 5. (Viewed 13 December 2021. Q00825).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - news brief

(2 June 2007). Death sells [about Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Daily Telegraph (UK), p. 27. (Viewed 21 November 2021. Q00821).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull in White Cube show

(2 June 2007). Diamond geezer [regarding Damien Hirst’s For the love of God on view at White Cube, London; presumably with no photo]. The Daily Mirror (UK), p. 35. (Viewed 27 October 2021. Q00817).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - news brief

(2 June 2007). Diamond skull; Damien Hirst has unveiled his latest bizarre creation— a GBP50 million diamond encrusted skull [possibly with photo]. Grimsby Telegraph (Grimsby, England), p. 6. (Viewed 13 December 2021. Q00826)

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - feature article, photo - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

(2 June 2007). Rough diamond Hirst polishes up GBP50m skull [presumably with photo of Damien Hirst’s For the love of God]. Birmingham Post (UK), p. 4. (Viewed 27 October 2021. Q00815).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - feature article - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Dorment, Richard. (2 June 2007). Damien Hirst’s GBP50m skull, unveiled yesterday, throws a hand grenade into the decadent world of art collecting [possibly with photo of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Daily Telegraph (London, UK), p. 20. (Viewed 9 November 2021. Q00819).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - feature article - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Lovell, Jeremy (Reuters - London). (2 June 2007). $100-million skull unveiled [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada). (Viewed 13 December 2021. Q00824).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

News Corp Australia. (2 June 2007). $120m headturner [possibly with photo of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God, on view at White Cube gallery, London]. The Daily Telegraph (Surry Hills, NSW, Australia), p. 21. (Viewed 9 November 2021. Q00820).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - listing

Wullschlager, Jackie. (2 June 2007). Visual arts: [listing]; "Damien Hirst - Beyond Belief; White Cube, London... What has been beyond belief recently is not only Hirst’s price tags, but his inability to do anything new. A notorious diamond-encrusted skull, on sale at GBP50m, is the showpiece of this exhibition... " Financial Times (London), p. 20. (Viewed 21 November 2021. Q00823).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - article - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Zheng, Yuxing (Associated Press). (2 June 2007). 8,601 diamonds in this platinum head count [with photo of Hirst’s For the love of God]. Orlando Sentinel (Florida), p. A2. (Viewed 27 October 2023. S00169).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - article - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Agence France-Presse. (4 June 2007). Britain’s avant-garde rips a page from the playbook of American hip hop [with photo of Hirst’s For the love of God]. National Post (Canada), p. AL4. (Viewed 27 October 2023. S00172).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - article - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Associated Press. (4 June 2007). Price will scare you [with photo of diamond skull print presumably held by Damien Hirst]. Kansas City Star, p. A3. (Viewed 27 October 2023. S00170).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - article - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Reuters. (4 June 2007). It’s a gem! Brit bad boy’s skull sparkles [with photo of Hirst above For the love of God]. Calgary Herald, p. 7. (Viewed 27 October 2023. S00171).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - feature article

Boland, Rosita. (9 June 2007). Is this the jewel in the crown of Britart? [With mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Irish Times newspaper. (Viewed 13 December 2021. Q01002).

• Online - Irish Times website.

2007 - editorial - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Editorial. (9 June 2007). Head case; can diamonds be an artist’s best friend? [negative take on Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, p. B-6. (Viewed 10 November 2023. S00234).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - comment mention

Presumably Moir, Jan. (13 June 2007). Smiling cats: That’s what our artists should be doing [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull]. The Daily Telegraph (London), p. 19. (Viewed 10 November 2023. S00245).

• See worldcat.org for locations.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Sorid, D. (AP). (14 June 2007). Briefly ["A human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds by British artist Damien Hirst was recently offered for $100 million at a British gallery... "]. Casper Star-Tribune (Wyoming), p. A6. (Viewed 11 November 2023. S00242).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Sorid, D. (AP). (14 June 2007). Briefly ["A human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds by British artist Damien Hirst was recently offered for $100 million at a British gallery... "]. The Citizens’ Voice (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania), p. A4. (Viewed 19 November 2023. S00244).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Sorid, D. (AP). (14 June 2007). Briefly ["A human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds by British artist Damien Hirst was recently offered for $100 million at a British gallery... "]. The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tennessee), p. C4. (Viewed 10 November 2023. S00237).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Sorid, D. (AP). (14 June 2007). Briefly ["A human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds by British artist Damien Hirst was recently offered for $100 million at a British gallery... "]. Des Moines Register (Iowa), p. 4D. (Viewed 10 November 2023. S00236).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Sorid, D. (AP). (14 June 2007). Briefly ["A human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds by British artist Damien Hirst was recently offered for $100 million at a British gallery... "]. The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, California), p. E3. (Viewed 19 November 2023. S00243).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Sorid, D. (AP). (14 June 2007). Briefly ["A human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds by British artist Damien Hirst was recently offered for $100 million at a British gallery... "] Independent Record (Helena, Montana), p. 6A. (Viewed 5 November 2023. S00197).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Sorid, D. (AP). (14 June 2007). Briefly ["A human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds by British artist Damien Hirst was recently offered for $100 million at a British gallery... "]. Kenosha News (Kenosha, Wisconsin), p. B7. (Viewed 19 November 2023. S00241).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Sorid, D. (AP). (14 June 2007). Briefly ["A human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds by British artist Damien Hirst was recently offered for $100 million at a British gallery... "]. The Missoulian (Missoula, Montana), presumably p. B4. (Viewed 10 November 2023. S00239).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Sorid, D. (AP). (14 June 2007). Briefly ["A human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds by British artist Damien Hirst was recently offered for $100 million at a British gallery... "] The News and Advance (Lynchburg, Virginia), p. D6. (Viewed 5 November 2023. S00198).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Sorid, D. (AP). (14 June 2007). Briefly ["A human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds by British artist Damien Hirst was recently offered for $100 million at a British gallery... "]. The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City), p. 5B. (Viewed 10 November 2023. S00235).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - news brief - Hirst’s diamond skull at White Cube, London

Presumably Sorid, D. (AP). (14 June 2007). Briefly ["A human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds by British artist Damien Hirst was recently offered for $100 million at a British gallery... "]. Press of Atlantic City (New Jersey), p. A8. (Viewed 19 November 2023. S00240).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - news brief mention

Nilsen, Richard. (17 June 2007). Beauty of the wing [refers to another artwork by Damien Hirst, "a faux stained-glass window made from thousands of butterfly wings", on view at the Phoenix Art Museum— with mention of the diamond skull]. Arizona Republic, p. E1. (Viewed 5 November 2023. S00194).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - article mention

Gilbert, Mark (Bloomberg News Columnist). (20 June 2007). How do we know there is a "bubble"? Count the ways [with photo and mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull]. St. Petersburg Times, p. 3D. (Viewed 5 November 2023. S00195).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - article mention

Skrypek, Erin. (21 June 2007). Anatomy of a trend; inspired by the human body, designers flesh out new looks [with photo / caption and mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull]. Boston Globe, p. E2. (Viewed 5 November 2023. S00196).

• See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

2007 - feature article, photo - Hirst’s diamond skull on view at White Cube

James, Clive. (29 June 2007). Why money can’t buy everything [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. BBC News. (Viewed 26 September 2021. Q00474).

• Online - BBC News website.

2007 - news brief mention

Gilbert, Laurelle. (19 July 2007). Damien Hirst to design for Levi’s... really! [With mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Elle magazine (UK). (Viewed 1 October 2021. Q00569).

• Online - Elle (UK) website.

2007 - feature article, photo - Hirst’s diamond skull reported to be sold

AFP. (30 August 2007). Damien Hirst skull sells for $US100m [with photo of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. ABC News (Australia). (Viewed 4 October 2021. Q00623).

• Online - ABC News (Australia) website.

2007 - article mention, photo - Hirst’s diamond skull reported to be sold

Cohen, David. (30 August 2007). Inside Damien Hirst’s factory [with photo of Hirst and diamond skull, For the love of God]. Evening Standard newspaper (London). (Viewed 1 October 2021. Q00563).

• Online - Evening Standard website.

2007 - article mention

Hawgood, Alex. (Winter 2007). The magnificent seven [with mention: "If Damien Hirst’s $100 million diamond skull blows a hole in your budget, there’s always Guerlain’s one of a kind Diamond KissKiss lipstick... Exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman..."]. New York Times Magazine, p. 26. (Viewed 4 October 2021. Q00608).

• See worldcat.org for locations.

2007 - article mention

Egan, Maura. (Holiday 2007; c. December 2007). Performance upstart [on artist Mika Tajima; with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. New York Times Magazine, p. 172. (Viewed 5 October 2021. Q00609).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2007 - article mention

Wallace, Hannah. (Holiday 2007; c. December 2007). The Texas Tate [about the Goss-Michael Foundation; with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. New York Times Magazine, p. 174. (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00610).

• See worldcat.org for possible locations.

2008 - spotlighted article, photo - Damien’s diamond skull reported to sell for £50m

Preece, R. J. (January / February 2008). Why I love Damien Hirst’s skull [with photo of For the love of God]. Sculpture magazine, 27(1), pp. 42-5. (Viewed 13 September 2021).

• See Section B.1 above on this webpage.

2008 - spotlighted interview - Damien’s diamond skull reported to sell for £50m

Preece, R. J. (January / February 2008). Damien Hirst: Hype buzz, glamour and art - Interview with Patricia Ellis [accompanied feature article "Why I love Damien Hirst’s skull" listed above.] Sculpture magazine, 27(1), pp. 44-5. (Viewed 17 September 2021).

• See Section B.2 above on this webpage.

2008 - article mention

Pompeo, Joe. (9 August 2008). Damien Hirst: "I’m a Punk at Heart" [with mention of the Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. The Observer (New York). (Viewed 3 October 2021. Q00600).

• Online - The Observer (New York) website.

2009 - spotlighted article, photos - Damien’s diamond skull at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Preece, R. J. (March 2009). Rock star on tour: Damien Hirst’s skull at the Rijksmuseum [with photo of promotional graphic showing Hirst’s For the love of God on the exterior of the building; and photo of Hirst’s face above the diamond skull]. Sculpture magazine, pp. 14-5. (Viewed 17 September 2021).

• See Section C.1 above on this webpage.

2009 - article - Damien’s diamond skull at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Preece, R. J. (1 June 2009). Damien Hirst’s skull at the Rijksmuseum: Behind the scenes. Art Design Publicity at ADC. (Viewed 17 September 2021).

• See Section C.2 above on this webpage.

2009 - article mention

Grant, Caroline. (5 September 2009). Teenage graffiti artist accused of stealing "£500,000 box of pencils" in feud with Damien Hirst [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God; with photos of Cartrain with face covered by diamond skull; and a Cartain collage utilizing diamond skull image]. Daily Mail newspaper (UK). (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00717).

• Online - Daily Mail newspaper website.

2009 - article mention

(2 October 2009). Hirst goes back to the drawing board [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. BBC News. (Viewed 4 October 2021. Q00629).

• Online - BBC News website.

2009 - photo in article

(13 October 2009). Damien Hirst ditches formaldehyde for traditional artwork in a bid to prove that he can actually paint [with photo of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Daily Mail (London). (Viewed 4 October 2021. Q00601).

• Online - Daily Mail newspaper website.

2010 - article mention

(13 April 2010). Cab driver given Damien Hirst drawing as tip [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. BBC News. (Viewed 26 September 2021. Q00471).

• Online - BBC News website.

2010 - article, three photos - Hirst’s diamond skull at Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

Bordignon, Elena. (26 November 2010). Damien Hirst; The Palazzo Vecchio in Florence [Firenze] hosts his diamond skull, from November 26th 2010 to 1st May 2011 [with three photos of Hirst’s For the love of God]. Vogue (Italy). (Viewed 29 September 2021. Q00541).

• Online - Vogue (Italy) website.

2011 - wire service mention - Hirst’s baby diamond skull

(London). (9 January 2011). Baby’s skull inspiration for art [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. UPI wire service. (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00748).

• Online - UPI website.

2011 - article mention, photo

White, James. (20 January 2011). Creating a buzz: The Damien Hirst exhibit where thousands of maggots mature into flies... and then feast on abandoned barbecue [with mention and photo of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God, which is not in this Royal Academy of Art, London exhibition]. Daily Mail newspaper. (Viewed 4 October 2021. Q00606).

• Online - Daily Mail newspaper website.

2011 - article mention, photo

Jones, Alice. (18 November 2011). The diary: Jack du Rose; Nicholas Lloyd Webber; David Hockney; Russell Kane [with mention and photo of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. The Independent newspaper (UK). (Viewed 26 September 2021. Q00473).

• Online - The Independent newspaper website.

2011 - feature article, photo - Hirst’s diamond skull to be exhibited at Tate Modern

(21 November 2011). Damien Hirst skull to display in Turbine [with photo of Hirst’s For the love of God]. BBC News. (Viewed 26 September 2021. Q00470).

• Online - BBC News website.

2012 - article mention

(3 January 2012). Hockney takes a swipe at Hirst technique [with mention of Damien Hirst’s "diamond-studded skulls"]. BBC News. (Viewed 5 October 2021. Q00631).

• Online - BBC News website.

2012 - article mention

Sherwin, Adam. (3 January 2012). Hirst’s army of assistants insults art, says Hockney: Veteran’s attack as he joins Order of Merit [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diaond skull, For the love of God]. Daily Mail (London). (Viewed 4 October 2021. Q00607).

• Online - Daily Mail newspaper website.

2012 - article mention, photo - Hirst’s diamond skull to be on view at Tate Modern

(13 March 2012). Tate focuses on Damien Hirst during Olympic summer [with mention and photo of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God, and forthcoming retrospective at Tate Modern]. CBC News (Canada). (Viewed 16 October 2021. Q00762).

• Online - CBC website.

2012 - article mention - Hirst’s diamond skull to be on view at Tate Modern

(27 March 2012). Julian Spalding attacks Damien Hirst "con art" [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. BBC News. (Viewed 5 October 2021. Q00632).

• Online - BBC News website.

2012 - wire service article mention - Hirst’s diamond skull on view at Tate Modern

Collett-White, Mike, (2 April 2012). Art is "world’s greatest currency", says Hirst [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God on view at Tate Modern]. Reuters. (Viewed 22 September 2021. Q00421).

• Online - Reuters website.

2012 - article mention - Hirst’s diamond skull on view at Tate Modern

(2 April 2012). Damien Hirst says criticism is "to be expected" [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God on view at Tate Modern]. BBC News. (Viewed 26 September 2021. Q00472).

• Online - BBC News website.

2012 - review article - Hirst’s diamond skull at Tate Modern

(16 April 2012). Damien Hirst (review, 3 of 5 stars) [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. TimeOut (London). (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00751).

• Online - TimeOut website.

2012 - exhibition review - Hirst’s diamond skull at Tate Modern

Bankowsky, Jack. (Summer 2012). Damien Hirst [retrospective at Tate Modern, exhibition review; with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Artforum. (Viewed 16 October 2021. Q00761).

• Online - Artforum website.

2012 - feature article, photo on video - Hirst’s diamond skull at Tate Modern

(17 September 2012). Damien Hirst is most visited Tate Modern solo show [with mention and photo (on video of TV interview) of Hirst’s diamond skull]. BBC News. (Viewed 4 October 2021. Q00630).

• Online - BBC News website.

2013 - article mention, photo - Hirst’s diamond skull at Al Riwaq Art Center, Doha

Hack, Susan. (15 October 2013). Qatar inspires pilgrims for Hajj and for Damien Hirst [with mention and photo of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Condé Nast Traveler (magazine). (Viewed 29 September 2021. Q00542).

• Online - Condé Nast Traveler website.

2013 - article mention - Hirst’s diamond skull in ALRIWAQ DOHA show, Qatar

(29 October 2013). QMA launches the Damien Hirst art challenge [with mention of his exhibition Relics and diamond skull on view in Doha (10 October 2013 - 22 January 2014)]. Marhaba / Qatar Destination Guide. (Viewed 22 September 2021. Q00423).

• Online - Marhaba website.

2013 - article mention

Gopnik, Blake. (14 November 2013). Silver car crash by Andy Warhol sold for $104.5 million at Sothebys is the daily pic by Blake Gopnik [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Daily Beast. (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00714).

• Online - Daily Beast website.

2014 - article mention, photo

Kirkova, Deni. (26 February 2014). Incr-edible masterpieces! Bakers get creative with treats resembling famous works of art [with mention and photo of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God, next to a cake referring to the skull form]. Daily Mail (London). (Viewed 29 September 2021. Q00543).

• Online - Daily Mail website.

2014 - article mention

d’Ancona, Matthew. (2 October 2014). Damien Hirst: London’s most famous artist [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God, not in mentioned exhibition]. Evening Standard newspaper. (Viewed 30 September 2021. Q00557).

• Online - Evening Standard website.

2015 - article mention, photo

Begley, Sarah (Photo - Reuters). (7 June 2015). See the outrageous spectrum of Damien Hirst’s art [with photo and mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. TIME magazine. (Viewed 17 September 2021. Q00393).

• Online - TIME magazine website (presumably a preview introduction of a longer article).

2015 - article mention

Joseph, Claudia. (5 July 2015). Damien Hirst and the art of building a £150milllion property empire: Former enfant terrible of British art has an extraordinary portfolio of mansions, manor houses and farmland [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Daily Mail (UK). (Viewed 30 December 2021. Q01105).

• Online - Daily Mail newspaper website.

2015 - feature article, photos - Hirst’s diamond skull on view in Oslo

(16 September 2015). Kunstanmeldelse ["Art review"]: Damien Hirst [with three photos of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God, and presumed mention]. VG newspaper (Oslo, Norway). (Viewed 22 September 2021. Q00428).

• Online - VG website.

2016 - article mention

Turner, Camilla. (25 June 2016). Bitter pill to swallow: Artist claims Damien Hirst copied her jewellery [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull]. The Telegraph (London). (Viewed 17 December 2023. S00751).

• Online - The Telegraph.
• Online - archive.is.

2016 - article mention, photo

Griffiths, Charlotte. (3 September 2016). At home with the Hirsts: So where’s the pickled shark, Damien? An intriguing guided tour of the artist’s homes given by his VERY revealing muse [with mention and photo of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Daily Mail newspaper (UK). (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00715).

• Online - Daily Mail newspaper website.

2017 - article mention

Alonso, Javier (EFE). (6 April 2017). Hirst desembarca en Venecia el "tesoro" imaginado de "El increíble" [rough translation: "Hirst disembarks the imagined ’treasure’ of ’The Incredible’ in Venice"] [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. El Periodico (Barcelona, Spain). (Viewed 30 December 2021. Q01107).

• Online - El Periodico website.

2017 - article mention

EFE. (6 April 2017). Hirst desembarca en Venecia el ’tesoro’ imaginado de ’El increíble’ [rough translation: "Hirst disembarks the imagined ’treasure’ of ’The Incredible’ in Venice"] [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. El Diario (Spain). (Viewed 30 December 2021. Q01110).

• Online - El Diario website.

2017 - article mention

EFE. (7 April 2017). Se desvela el secreto de la primera exposición en solitario de Hirst en Italia [rough translation: "Secret of Hirst’s first solo exhibition in Italy revealed"] [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. 20 minutos (Spain). (Viewed 30 December 2021. Q01109).

• Online - 20 minutos website.

2017 - article mention

Piqué, Elisabetta. (presumably 7 May 2017). Damien Hirst. Odisea desde el fondo del mar [rough translation: "Damien Hirst. Odyssey from the bottom of the sea"] [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. La Nacion (Buenos Aires, Argentina). (Viewed 30 December 2021. Q01108).

• Online - La Nacion website.

2018 - article mention, photo

Gordon, Amie. (26 April 2018). Damien Hirst admits "all my ideas are stolen" after years of being accused of borrowing inspiration for some of his most famous works [with photo of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God, but as background and not referring to a stolen idea]. Daily Mail (London). (Viewed 30 September 2021. Q00545).

• Online - Daily Mail website.

2018 - article mention

Shaw, Anny. (18 June 2018). Damien Hirst’s former manager Frank Dunphy to sell art collection; Sotheby’s auction includes personal works by Hirst gifted to Dunphy, or sketched on the back of restaurant menus [with mention of the diamond skull]. The Art Newspaper. (Viewed 17 December 2023. S00749).

• Online - The Art Newspaper.

2019 - article mention, photo

D’Amelio, John. (13 January 2019). Damien Hirst wants to make art you can’t ignore [with mention and photo of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. CBS News (Sunday Morning program). (Viewed 16 October 2021. Q00760).

• Online - CBS News website.

2019 - news brief mention

(15 January 2019). Damien Hirst reveals his greatest fear is being ignored [with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. Artnet News. (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00716).

• Online - artnet.com.

2019 - article mention, video mention, photos

Hosein, Lise. (19 February 2019). Art 101: What is a memento mori? P.S. You are going to die [with article and video mention and two photos (one on video) of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. CBC Arts (Canada). (Viewed 1 October 2021. Q00575).

• Online - CBC website.

2020 - article mention

Grovier, Kelly. (19 February 2020). The most terrifying images in history?; Paintings of the past depicted horror, dread and foreboding. But can art still frighten us into a new consciousness? [With mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull]. BBC Culture. (Viewed 29 September 2021. Q00546).

• Online - BBC website.

2020 - article mention

Greenberger, Alex. (25 May 2020). The 10 most important exhibitions at London’s Tate Modern [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God]. ARTnews. (Viewed 30 September 2021. Q00556).

• Online - ARTnews website.

2021 - article mention

Luke, Ben. (8 April 2021). Damien Hirst is exhibiting at Gagosian in London for an entire year— but what’s his art world currency now? [With mention of Damien’s diamond skull]. Evening Standard (London). (Viewed 29 September 2021. Q00544).

• Online - Evening Standard website.

2021 - article mention

Williamson, Lucy. (6 July 2021). Riot of cherry blossom reveals new Damien Hirst post-lockdown [regarding paintings at Fondation Cartier, Paris; with mention of Hirst’s diamond skull, For the love of God, which is not in the exhibition]. BBC News. (Viewed 30 September 2021. Q00555).

• Online - BBC News website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John. (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. The Independent newspaper (London). (Viewed 1 October 2021. Q00574).

• Online - The Independent website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! news. (Viewed 1 October 2021. Q00572).

• Online - Yahoo! news website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! news (Australia). (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00718).

• Online - Yahoo! Australia website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! notícias (Brazil). (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00719).

• Online - Yahoo! Brazil website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! news (Canada). (Viewed 1 October 2021. Q00573).

• Online - Yahoo! Canada website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! entertainment. (Viewed 16 October 2021. Q00759).

• Online - Yahoo! entertainment website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! actualités (France). (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00739).

• Online - Yahoo! France website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! nachrichten (Germany). (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00720).

• Online - Yahoo! Germany website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! 新聞 (Hong Kong). (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00740).

• Online - Yahoo! Hong Kong website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! berita (Indonesia). (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00741).

• Online - Yahoo! Indonesia website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! notizie (Italy). (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00742).

• Online - Yahoo! Italy website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! news (Malaysia). (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00743).

• Online - Yahoo! Malaysia website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! news (New Zealand). (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00744).

• Online - Yahoo! New Zealand website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! news (Philippines). (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00745).

• Online - Yahoo! Philippines website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! news (Singapore). (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00746).

• Online - Yahoo! Singapore website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! 新聞 (Taiwan). (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00747).

• Online - Yahoo! Taiwan website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! noticias (Spain). (Viewed 13 October 2021. Q00737).

• Online - Yahoo! Spain website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! news (UK). (Viewed 1 October 2021. Q00571).

• Online - Yahoo! UK website.

2021 - article mention

Rentoul, John (The Independent). (24 September 2021). The top 10: Skulls [with mention of "3. For the Love of God... "]. Yahoo! noticias (USA / Latin America - Spanish language). (Viewed 10 October 2021. Q00738).

• Online - Yahoo! USA (Spanish language) website.

2022 - article, photos

Eden, Richard. (26 January 2022). After 15 years, Damien Hirst reveals where his $100m skull is buried [with photos of the diamond skull]. Daily Mail (UK). (Viewed 17 December 2023. S00753).

• Online - Daily Mail.

2022 - article, photo

Coward, Teddy. (27 January 2022). 15 years later, Damien Hirst reveals where his $100m skull is buried; A decade-and-a-half since selling his diamond-encrusted skull for a record-breaking $100m, Damien Hirst has finally admitted where it’s been hiding— what’s more, he’s revealed the deal never actually happened [with photo of the diamond skull]. Why Now (UK) website. (Viewed 17 December 2023. S00754).

• Online - Why Now (UK) website.

2023 - article, photo - Hirst’s diamond skull to be on view in Munich

(9 August 2023). Damien Hirst’s iconic works to make landmark debut in Germany [at the Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA), Munich; with photo of Hirst’s diamond skull]. The Munich Eye (Germany, English language). (Viewed 17 December 2023. S00755).

• Online - The Munich Eye.

2023 - article, photos - Hirst’s diamond skull to be on view in Munich

Westall, Mark. (23 October 2023). Damien Hirst’s diamond skull on show in the artist’s first major German survey exhibition [at the Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA), Munich; with photos of Hirst’s diamond skull]. FAD magazine. (Viewed 17 December 2023. S00750).

• Online - FAD magazine website.

n. d. - Wikipedia entry

(undated). "For the Love of God" entry. Wikipedia.org. (Viewed 19 December 2021).

• Online - wikipedia.org. (Typically good list of sources to add to an introductory source list.)

n. d. - article mention, photo

Wolfe, Shira. (undated). Damien Hirst: the "Enfant Terrible" of the art world [with mention of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull For the love of God]. The Artlander magazine. (Viewed 7 November 2021. Q00910).

• Online - The Artlander website.