David Hockney
654 works
Key Takeaways
David Hockney's print market offers a range of works across various collections, mediums, and price points, making it accessible to collectors of all levels. While his prints are widely available through auction houses, private dealers, and brokers like MyArtBroker, it's crucial to verify authenticity, condition, and provenance before purchasing. Hockney’s works, including lithographs and digital prints, are in high demand, and his market shows consistent growth, offering strong investment potential.
David Hockney’s print market is both diverse and accessible, offering a wide range of works across different collections, mediums, and price points. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced collector, Hockney’s prints are available through a variety of purchasing avenues. auction houses, private dealers, and brokers like MyArtBroker. With strong market growth and demand for his works, this buyer's guide offers advice and guidance on acquiring Hockney prints.
Why Collect David Hockney?
David Hockney is a celebrated artist, renowned for his prolific and innovative printmaking, and his remarkable ability to adapt to evolving technologies. Reflecting on his passion for various styles and techniques, Hockney once remarked, “I love new mediums. I think mediums can turn you on, they can excite you; they always let you do something in a different way.”
Hockney first began his exploration with printmaking while studying at Bradford College of Art, where he experimented with etching, lithography, and aquatint. These early experiences would go on to profoundly influence his ongoing practice and visual style. To explore more about Hockney's refined aesthetic, subscribe to our podcast, MyArtBroker Talks, and listen to David Hockney: Investable Prints & What's Next for the Artist.
Are David Hockney prints a good investment?
According to our print market data, Hockney's print market performance has been remarkably strong, showing robust sales value and volume. While the market saw a slight dip in 2020, with sales value dropping to £3.9 million–a 23% decrease from the previous year–Hockney's market rebounded in 2021, with significant year-on-year (YoY) growth in both sales value and volume.
Three key factors contribute to the current success of Hockney's print market, highlighting its strong investment potential: the wide variety of Hockney prints available across different collections, diverse purchasing avenues, and a broad range of price points. The market's healthy performance also ensures a level of liquidity, reflecting continued demand for his works, whether you're buying or selling. To delve deeper into Hockney's print market and discover the ten most investable Hockney prints in 2023 and explore our David Hockney Investment Guide.
How much are David Hockney prints worth?
While Hockney's original works command millions at auction, his artistic mastery is equally showcased in his prints, which demonstrate his versatility across various mediums and screenprinting techniques. Like many artists, Hockney's editioned prints are available in several proof types, including Artist's Proofs (AP), Trial Proofs (TP), and Printer's Proofs (PP). Certain special edition prints, marked by their rarity, command a premium. However, Hockney's print market is extensive, and his main edition prints have shown steady stability and value growth over the past decade.
In 2023, the average selling price (ASP) for Hockney's main edition prints reached nearly £30,000, though some in-demand works sell for much higher. Hockney's The Arrival Of Spring series is currently the most sought-after, closely followed by The Yosemite Suite collection. In 2022, an extremely rare large-scale edition of The Arrival Of Spring In Woldgate East Yorkshire 4th May 2011 (edition of 10) sold for £504,000 with fees at Phillips, setting a record. A similar work, The Arrival Of Spring In Woldgate East Yorkshire 2nd June 2011 (edition of 10), followed suit in 2024, achieving £406,400 with fees. The smaller-scaled works in this series in editions of 25 can fetch up to £300,000, with many never having been publicly traded.
Listen to our specialists discuss the current state of the Hockney Market in our live panel discussion.
What types of David Hockney prints are for sale?
The cost of Hockney prints varies widely based on factors such as proof type, edition size, rarity, condition, and provenance. While Hockney has worked with numerous printing techniques, there is currently high demand for his digital works, including pieces from collections like iPad Drawings and Flowers. However, these most recent collections are just a small fraction of his extensive body of work available on the market.
Hockney's printmaking journey began with etchings and lithographs, focusing on subjects with literary and historical significance. His early series A Rake's Progress, featuring 16 etchings, was inspired by William Hogarth’s famous series, while The Blue Guitar, comprising 20 etchings, took inspiration from Picasso's The Man With The Blue Guitar (1903). Both sets appeared at auction in 2023, selling for £435,482 and £62,837 (respectively) at Christie's, setting new records. Individual prints from these series, though more affordable, remain rare on the market but can be acquired through private sales, including MyArtBroker’s live Trading Floor and at events like the London Art Fair.
During his time in California, Hockney began working with lithography, producing his famous Swimming Pools and a portfolio with Gemini G.E.L in 1979, which included portraits of close friends like Ann Upton and Celia Birtwell. In the mid-1980s, Hockney explored innovative printing techniques using photocopiers, fax machines, and computers to create the Home Made Prints series. On this process, Hockney remarked, “I can work with great speed and responsiveness. This is the closest I’ve ever come in printing to what it’s like to paint.”
Most recently, between 2009 and 2012, Hockney created over a hundred prints on his iPhone and iPad, documenting the changing seasons. His diverse body of work has kept his print market vibrant, offering accessibility across a range of price points and appealing to collectors of all tastes and ages.
What Are Some Of Hockney’s Most Popular Prints?
Though Hockney is best known for his iconic Swimming Pool studies and depictions of water, and while his digital drawings are rapidly becoming some of the highest valued works on the market, his print portfolio is extensive. Below are specific prints we’re keeping an eye on for 2024:
- The Arrival Of Spring In Woldgate East Yorkshire 12th April 2011 - No. 1: This piece from the Arrival Of Spring series captures the essence of the season with a clear blue sky and blossoming landscapes. As part of an edition of 25, this work has never appeared on the market before. With its vibrant colour palette and strong visual appeal, its auction debut could potentially set a new record for prints from this collection.
- Rain: Part of Hockney's The Weather Series, this particular piece gained significant traction in the market in 2023, appearing twice, with one sale reaching £107,100 at Christie's in September, just shy of the auction record set the previous year. These sales highlight the work's notable value appreciation, with the ASP more than doubling since 2017.
- A Bigger Green Valley: Part of Hockney's iPad Drawings collection, this piece is on our watchlist for its colour palette and landscape view. While Hockney’s interior depictions are popular, his vibrant green landscape pieces tend to generate the most interest at auction. This particular print is rare, having only appeared on the market twice, with its last sale in 2021 reaching £308,700, making it one of his highest-valued individual prints. A reappearance at auction would likely draw significant attention from collectors.
When considering the purchase of a print, we always stress, especialy in a softening market, that buying something you love and something that uou want t hold onto, in case selling conditions might not be favourable is the most important aspect.
Looking To Acquire David Hockney Prints?
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How do you authenticate a Hockney print?
Most of Hockney’s prints are signed, dated, and include edition numbers; depending on the publisher, his etchings and lithographs may also feature a blindstamp. When researching the authenticity of a Hockney print, The David Hockney Foundation is an invaluable resource. While it does not officially authenticate works and is not a catalogue raisonné, it offers a digital library of Hockney's artworks, showcasing public exhibitions and different periods of his work. An official catalogue raisonné is in progress and will be available online in 2026, incorporating digital innovation.
To verify the authenticity of a Hockney print, it’s essential to ensure that the artwork comes with detailed paperwork documenting its provenance, origin, and sale history. This could include references to galleries, auction houses, or any restoration work, and cross-checking these records is highly recommended.
How do you check the condition of a Hockney print?
The condition of a Hockney print significantly impacts its value, so it's essential to ensure the print you're considering is in pristine condition. Before purchasing, check for signs of damage, such as faded colours from sun exposure, tears, mould stains, yellowing, water damage, or warping caused by humidity.
After purchasing, it’s crucial to preserve your Hockney print to retain it's value if you intend to sell. Frame it using UV-protective glass and acid-free backing, and keep it in a stable environment, avoiding extreme temperatures, moisture, and direct sunlight. If unframed, store the print flat and in the dark.
Learn more in our guide to restoring and caring for modern and contemporary prints.
Where can I buy a David Hockney print in 2024?
Hockney prints are readily accessible through auction houses, private dealers, or brokers like MyArtBroker. However, buying from a high street gallery often involves higher costs, and auction houses typically add a 25% buyer’s premium on top of the hammer price, plus VAT.
Before beginning your blue chip art collection, it’s important to consider all essential steps. While auction houses are appealing, private dealers like MyArtBroker provide trusted expertise to guide both first-time and seasoned collectors. For more details on sales formats, explore our Guide to Auction versus Private Sale.
Why use MyArtBroker to find your first David Hockney?
At MyArtBroker, we provide a secure and straightforward way for buyers to connect directly with our expert brokers. Whether you're looking to acquire a specific Hockney artwork to start or expand your collection, our brokers can help through our extensive network of collectors buying and selling daily. Our team also liaises with external contacts to authenticate artworks and conduct thorough condition checks ensuring complete confidence before you purchase.
Dedicated Specialist
At MyArtBroker, we offer a trusted platform that connects buyers with specialist brokers. A member of our dedicated team will work closely with you to find the Hockney piece you're looking for at a price that fits your budget. Our specialists assist with condition checks, authentication, and delivery arrangements, combining personalised service with the convenience of an online process.
Our Global Network
Our network spans over 30,000 collectors, dealers, galleries, and independent experts, ensuring we can source the most desirable and authentic Hockney artworks. With over 75,000 monthly visitors to our website, we regularly provide updates on market trends, auction results, and new works, as well as offer detailed biographies and essays on all Hockney editions and market trends
Looking To Acquire David Hockney Prints?
Explore the live Trading Floor and connect with our specialists for expert advice. Sign up for MyPortfolio Collection Management today.
David Hockney
654 works
