Hirst paintings visible from window on Welbeck Street

The other afternoon, strolling down London’s Welbeck Street, a prim thoroughfare lined with brick townhouses, I glanced in the second story window.

Adjacent townhouses where Hirst runs his back office biz

There hung what appeared to be at least three Damien Hirst paintings. I made out a spin painting and red and yellow butterfly canvases.

How could so many Hirst’s be hanging in such a small room, in such a relatively modest house? Were they copies?

I approached the doorway and noticed a small brass plaque reading “Deliveries for science, other criteria, murderme” — the names of companies Hirst owns which handle different facets of his business and art collecting. I noticed the adjacent building had similar plaques on the door.

Since it was near the end of the business day, employees began leaving. One friendly staffer explained this was where Hirst handled his back office business, including his accounting.

She departed and I glanced down at garbage bag filled with paperwork placed outside the front door for collection. For several minutes I considered what information might be contained in the bags. Then I quickly walked away.

Brass plaque on the door

The garbage in front of Hirst's office