Hirst, who famously employed assembly lines of thousands to produce his unremitting grids of colour, has boiled down Walt’s most famous mascot to 12 spots.
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When Damien met Disney
But rest assured… this won’t be funding a second Hirst castle, for proceeds of the sale will go to the charity Kids Company.
Hirst says: “Mickey Mouse represents happiness and the joy of being a kid and I have reduced his shape down to the basic elements of a few simple spots.
“I hope people love it, because it is still instantly recognisable – Mickey Mouse is such a universal and powerful icon.”
The painting will be auctioned at Christie’s in February.
11 Things You Didn't Know About Damien Hirst
(01 of11)
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Hirst grew up in Bristol with his mother who took a hard line with her rebellious son, cutting up his trousers and melting his Sex Pistols vinyl records on the cooker.
(02 of11)
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In 1992 his The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living became the most notable nomination of the Turner Prize, though it didn't actually win. The shark encased in formaldehyde became one of the most iconic pieces of the 1990s. PICTURE: PA
(03 of11)
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As a student, Hirst had a placement in a mortuary, an experience that clearly influenced his later work. PICTURE: PA
(04 of11)
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In 1994 Hirst's piece, Away from the Flock, that features a sheep in formaldehyde, was vandalised by another artist, one Mark Bridger, who poured black ink into the tank, and retitled the work Black Sheep. He was subsequently prosecuted, at Hirst's wish, and was given two years' probation.PICTURE: PA
(05 of11)
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In 1995 Hirst won the Turner Prize for his cow and calf in formaldehyde. PICTURE: PA
(06 of11)
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Hirst wanted to use rotting cattle in an exhibition in New York, but was banned by the city's health authorities because of fears of "vomiting among the visitors".PICTURE: PA
(07 of11)
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In 2000 Hirst was commissioned to paint a mini in the style of one of his famous 'spot paintings', to be auctioned at the Serpentine Gallery's 30th Anniversary in London. PICTURE: PA
(08 of11)
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Hirst's 2001 work, Painting-By-Numbers was a do-it-yourself kit designed to make one of his 'spot paintings' - but part of the exhibition was binned by a gallery cleaner who mistook it for trash.PICTURE: PA
(09 of11)
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In his 2007 exhibition at the White Cube gallery in London, Hirst displayed For the Love of God, a human skull recreated in platinum. It was covered with 8,601 diamonds, worth about £15,000,000. The work didn't sell outright but to a consortium that included Hirst - maybe people were put off by the £50,000,000 asking price. PICTURE: PA
(10 of11)
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In September 2008 Hirst became the first living artist to sell a complete show, Beautiful Inside My Head Forever, by action at Sotheby's. It broke the record for a one-artist auction, raising £111 million.PICTURE: PA
(11 of11)
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With a wealth valued at £215m in the 2010 Sunday Times Rich List, Hirst is reported to be Britain's wealthiest artist.PICTURE: PA