In 2007, art historian Rudi Fuchs, described the work as "out of this world, celestial almost. It proclaims victory over decay. At the same time it represents death as something infinitely more relentless. Compared to the tearful sadness of a vanitas scene, the diamond skull is glory itself." Costing £14 million to produce, the work was placed on its inaugural display at the White Cube gallery in London in an exhibition "Beyond Belief", with an asking price of £50 million. This would have been the highest price ever paid for a single work by a living artist.