Artwork Description
Purchase The Empresses- H10-3 Theodora Pop Street Artwork Limited Edition Giclee & Giltter Screenprint Print on Aluminum Sheet by Urban Graffiti Modern Artist Damien Hirst.
2022 Signed & Numbered In Verso on Label Limited Edition of 3315 Artwork Size 39.37x39.37 Giclee & Giltter Screenprint Print on Aluminum Sheet
Incredibly intricate and dynamic, 'Theodora' pays homage to the influential Byzantine empress who used her intellect and acumen to bring about enduring transformation within the empire. Born to the most humble class in Byzantine society, Theodora (497-548 CE) ascended to power in 527 CE after marrying Emperor Justinian. She made a lasting impact on the region, primarily by enacting new religious and social policies. Theodora's influence over the empire led many to question whether it was she, rather than Justinian, who held the reins. In 'Theodora', an absorbing asymmetrical pattern is formed from red and black butterfly wings, making it the only piece of its kind in the series. Shimmering red lines, visible only up close, bisect the composition both vertically and horizontally, dividing it into halves and thirds, and forming a circle in the upper portion. The lower horizontal band, the circle, and the vertical line stand out most prominently, evoking the female gender symbol. This symbolism harks back to some of Theodora's groundbreaking policies that improved the lives of women, such as banning the trafficking of young girls and revising divorce laws to grant women greater rights. 'Theodora' distinguishes itself through its orchestrated disorder, with wings positioned individually or in pairs throughout the piece. The meticulous asymmetrical arrangement generates the visual impression that these wings are not inert specimens displayed for the viewer's delight but rather, living creatures pulsating with energy, caught in motion as they traverse (and seemingly beyond) the depicted space.
