The Older Rapunzel
The Older Rapunzel
Signed Print
David Hockney
£1,250-£1,900
$2,500-$3,800 Value Indicator
$2,250-$3,450 Value Indicator
¥11,500-¥18,000 Value Indicator
€1,500-€2,300 Value Indicator
$12,500-$19,000 Value Indicator
¥240,000-¥370,000 Value Indicator
$1,600-$2,450 Value Indicator
AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
There aren't enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.
Medium: Intaglio
Edition size: 100
Year: 1969
Size: H 16cm x W 18cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2023 | Sotheby's Online | United Kingdom | |||
| May 2021 | Hall's Fine Art | United Kingdom | |||
| April 2019 | Waddington's | Canada | |||
| March 2019 | Christie's London | United Kingdom | |||
| May 2016 | Wright | United States | |||
| September 2009 | Christie's London | United Kingdom | |||
| October 2005 | Bonhams New Bond Street | United Kingdom |
Meaning & Analysis
A woman is shown in profile, her face resolutely fixed on something hidden from the viewer. Her hair is long, reaching all the way to the floor to become a snakelike coil or an elaborate bridal veil. This is of course Rapunzel, the protagonist of the eponymous fairy tale in which a young maiden is locked in a tower by a sorceress until a prince comes by one day and uses her long hair to climb up and visit her. In this print however Hockney adds another layer of reference by placing a lily in the ‘older’ Rapunzel’s hands. This lily is reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation scene in which the Angel Gabriel presents the Virgin Mary with the lily that becomes her attribute, a symbol of her purity. While Hockney praised the ‘simplicity’ of the stories he chose for his Illustrations For Six Fairy Tales From The Brothers Grimm, he could not resist adding a layer of complexity which is complemented by the elegance of the etching itself. The background is made of a fine grid, and he represents the drapery and shadows with exquisite detail. The series was published as an edition of 100 and has since been turned into a bestselling book, making this one of Hockney’s most popular print portfolios.
