Damien Hirst

Trinity - Pharmacology, Physiology, Pathology

About this artwork

In this work Hirst brings together three cabinets filled with plastic medical models, most of which would have been purchased from supply catalogues. The format of the work, with one larger cabinet flanked by two smaller ones, is akin to a religious triptych, while the title, Trinity, refers to the Christian idea of the Holy Trinity (God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). Hirst’s Catholic upbringing is one of the key factors to an understanding of his work. He uses pharmaceutical products as a modern metaphor for religion: both are employed to combat, and come to terms with, death.

Updated before 2020

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  • artist:
    Damien Hirst (born 1965) English
  • title:
    Trinity - Pharmacology, Physiology, Pathology
  • date created:
    2000
  • materials:
    Glass, fibreboard, wood, steel and plastic
  • measurements:
    274.50 x 183.50 x 47.20 cm (central vitrine size); 213.50 x 153.00 x 47.20 cm (each side vitrine)
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund, 2008
  • accession number:
    AR00500
  • gallery:
  • subject:
This artwork is part of Artist Rooms
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Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst