Damien Hirst’s ‘Butterfly Paintings’, along with his spot and spin paintings, are some of his most recognisable works. Idolatry has been composed by arranging many different breeds of butterfly into a mandala-like pattern. Each one is meticulously placed to create a beautiful and systematic design where yellow, red, orange and purple tones contrast, being set off by the gentle pale-blue surface plane.

Hirst’s work often draws upon life, death, philosophy and religion, and the work, along with others in the series, reminds the viewer of rose windows found in churches, or pieces of Buddhist and Hindu sacred art.