Damien Hirst Admits Diamond Skull Was Never Sold

Damien Hirst has admitted that his diamond-encrusted skull, For the Love of God, was never actually sold for $100 million in 2007. In a New York Times interview, the artist revealed the work remains in a Hatton Garden vault, still owned by his gallery White Cube and a group of investors. The 2007 sale announcement, which set a record, had long been met with skepticism due to inconsistencies in Hirst's statements about production costs and lack of proof. The work was later exhibited at the Rijksmuseum, Tate Modern, and Palazzo Vecchio. Hirst, now the richest artist in Britain, has since pivoted to NFTs. The case highlights how hype and communication often outweigh transparency in the art market.