Lithograph May Become the Most Expensive David Hockney Work Ever Sold in Denmark

David Hockney is undoubtedly one of the most important artists of the 20th century. At a Live Auction on 16 June, Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers will place one of the popular artist's works under the hammer.

The work, a lithograph from 1978-80, has been valued at DKK 300,000-500,000 (EUR 40,000-67,000) and therefore stands a chance of becoming the most expensive work by Hockney ever sold at auction in Denmark. The motif is one of the distinctive depictions of a swimming pool that have helped make the British artist world famous.

"It's very rare that we see lithographs in this price range – we're talking about a level that is at par with Andy Warhol's serigraphs", says Kathrine Eriksen, specialist in modern art at Bruun Rasmussen.

The Fascination of Water

Hockney's oeuvre ranges wide, from set designs to opera scenes over photo collages to English landscapes. However, he is probably best known for his alluring studies of water and swimming pools.

“The interest in swimming pools came about in the early 1960s when Hockney first visited California. They can be seen as both an expression of freedom and 'the good life', but also as a desire to capture the essence and nature of the water in a sensuous way. He worked intensively with the subject through a variety of media, which is why it is a very central element in his art – something that of course also affects the price of the work up for auction,” says Kathrine Eriksen.

In 1978, David Hockney himself commented on his fascination with water:

“Water in swimming pools changes its look more than in any other form… its colour can be man-made and its dancing rhythms reflect not only the sky but, because of its transparency, the depth of the water as well. If the water surface is almost still and there is a strong sun, then dancing lines with the colours of the spectrum appear everywhere.”

Staggering, Record-Breaking Hammer Prices

David Hockney has gained a great deal of international recognition, and his works have been exhibited worldwide in places such as London, Paris, New York, Melbourne and Tokyo. The works are also incredibly popular on the auction market, and the high demand culminated in a staggering price of USD 90 million for the work "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)" in 2018 – a hammer price that made the painting the most expensive work of art by a living artist sold at auction. Hockney held the record until May 2019, when Jeff Koons' “Rabbit” was sold for USD 91.1 million.

Auction

Besides the lithograph, you can bid on two additional works by Hockney at the current auction at Bruun Rasmussen. These include an etching depicting Maurice Payne, one of Hockney's close friends, as well as one of Hockney's photo collages from the 1980s. With its organic, overlapping construction the collage gives the viewer several perspectives on the portrayed: Hockney's own mother.

Auction: 16-17 June at Bredgade 33, 1260 Copenhagen K and at bruun-rasmussen.dk 

The number of seats for the auction is limited and a reservation is therefore required. Book your seat via kundeservice@bruun-rasmussen.dk.