Damien Hirst's work 'For the Love of God' and Mercantilism

For the Love of God(2007) Damien Hirst

Research Damien Hirst's work For the Love of God(2007) in order to answer the following questions;

1. Describe the work, giving details of the form and materials. 

It consists of a platinum cast of a human skull encrusted with 8,601 flawless diamonds , including a pear-shaped pink diamond located in the forehead, over a platinum cast, cover the entirety of the skull, with the exception of the original teeth of the skull.

2. What does the work mean? What is Damien Hirst communicating in the work?

The life and death.

The Diamond covered skull by Damien Hirst is a continuation of the artist's exploration of death and the way we react to it.

3. How does Hirst's diamond encrusted skull relate to Mercantilism and to conspicuous consumption?

Conspicuous consumption means buying expensive services and products in order to flaunt your wealth.In my view, the skull with diamonds didn't have any practical function but the symbol of "wealth", which relate to the concept of Mercantilism and conspicuous consumption.

4. How much did the work cost, and how much was it sold for, and who bought it?

It cost $20 million to make the skull (diamonds and fabrication)，and sold for $100 million dollars, a record price for work sold by a living artist. 

According to the gallery a group of anonymous investors purchased the work.

5. What are some of the differing opinions of the journalists in the newspaper and blog articles?What did they think of the work?

The New York Times magazine states "the dazzle of the diamonds might outshine any meaning Hirst attaches to it" suggesting the writer sees strong "conspicuous consumption" ideas behind the work, however he later goes on to say that "Its value as jewelry alone is preposterous."

6. Based on your research, what is your opinion of the work, as an object or a work of art.


In my opinion, "For the love of God" looks beautiful, but is not an "artwork". I think the wealth of this work is make more profit than communicate the ideas of life and death.

www.telegraph.co.uk › Culture › Culture News
www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/.../01/hirstsskullmakesdazzlingde
boingboing.net/2007/06/02/damien-hirsts-diamon.html 
www.gagosian.com/artists/damien-hirst/