Lena Rivera
David Hockney's painting 'Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)' sold for $90.3 million at Christie's New York in 2018, making it the most expensive painting by the artist and the most expensive work by a living artist at the time. The painting depicts a smartly dressed man standing by a pool while another swims underwater. The painting is considered one of Hockney's most important works, showcasing his mastery of composition and narrative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Painting | Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) |
| Year of Creation | 1972 |
| Sale Price | $90.3 million (including fees) |
| Auction House | Christie's |
| Auction Location | New York |
| Date of Auction | November 15, 2018 |
| Previous Record Holder | Jeff Koons, Balloon Dog (Orange) |
| Previous Record Price | $58.4 million |
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What You'll Learn
Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) sold for $90.3 million
Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) is a 1972 painting by David Hockney, which sold for $90.3 million in 2018. It is considered one of Hockney's most iconic works and is a testament to his mastery of composition and narrative. The painting features a contemplative figure standing by a poolside while another swims beneath the water's surface, exuding a sense of mystery and introspection.
The sale of Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) set a record for the most expensive artwork by a living artist ever sold at auction at the time. The previous record was held by Jeff Koons' Balloon Dog (Orange) (1994-2000), which sold for $58.4 million in 2013. The Hockney painting nearly doubled this record, highlighting its extraordinary nature and the high demand for the artist's work.
The auction house, Christie's, promoted the painting as "one of the great masterpieces of the modern era" and the "holy grail" of Hockney's work. The painting is considered particularly significant in Hockney's oeuvre as it blends two of his iconic themes: swimming pools and double portraits. The composition is based on two photographs: one of a figure swimming underwater, appearing distorted, and the other of a boy looking at something on the ground.
The painting also holds personal significance for Hockney, as it depicts his former lover and muse, Peter Schlesinger, whom he met in 1966. Schlesinger was a student in one of Hockney's classes at UCLA and became one of the artist's favourite models. The painting was created during a difficult period following the end of their relationship, and it is believed that the swimmer in the painting may be Schlesinger's new lover.
Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) is a testament to Hockney's enduring legacy and his profound impact on contemporary art. The high auction price reflects the work's artistic merit and its importance in the context of Hockney's career.
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Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica sold for over £21 million
In May 2018, David Hockney's Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica (1990) sold for over £21 million at Sotheby’s New York. This large landscape was inspired by Hockney's daily commute from his Hollywood Hills home to his Santa Monica Boulevard studio, a route he fondly called the "Wagner drive" due to his habit of listening to opera en route. The painting offers a "multiple view of Santa Monica Bay and the mountains", as described by Hockney in 1993. This sale marked a significant moment as it became Hockney's most expensive work at auction at the time.
Hockney's works have continued to increase in value, with his painting Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (1972) selling for $90.3 million at Christie's New York in November 2018. This work broke records, becoming the most expensive artwork by a living artist ever sold at auction at the time. The painting, which masterfully blends Hockney's iconic themes of swimming pools and double portraits, fetched nearly $30 million more than the previous record.
The market for Hockney's artworks has experienced significant growth over the past decade, with notable year-on-year increases in the value of his print sales. His prints at auction typically range from around £1,000 to over £500,000, with rare complete sets fetching a premium. As one of the most esteemed British contemporary artists still actively creating, it is no surprise that Hockney's works continue to command impressive prices.
Hockney's unique approach and innovative techniques set him apart from his contemporaries, while his instantly recognisable style has established him as one of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. His ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around him, as seen in Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica, has resulted in his artworks becoming highly coveted and fetching significant sums at auction houses worldwide.
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Winter Timber sold for £20.4 million
David Hockney's painting Winter Timber (2009) sold for an impressive £20.4 million at Christie's auction house in 2022, marking its auction debut. This sale not only represented a significant milestone for the artwork but also showcased the enduring demand for Hockney's creations. The painting's landscape subject, reminiscent of his Arrival of Spring series, highlights his talent for capturing transient moments in nature.
Winter Timber's auction success reflects Hockney's standing as one of the most esteemed British contemporary artists. His works continue to command remarkable prices, with his prints at auction typically ranging from £1,000 to over £500,000. This particular sale of Winter Timber further underscores Hockney's prominence in the art world.
While Winter Timber fetched an extraordinary price, it is notable that Hockney's creations have consistently achieved impressive sums. For instance, his renowned work Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (1972) sold for a staggering $90.3 million (approximately £70.3 million) at Christie's New York in 2018, setting a record for the most expensive piece by a living artist at the time. This sale further emphasised Hockney's status as a highly valued living artist.
Hockney's works have consistently attracted significant attention and high prices. For instance, his painting Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica (1990) sold for over £21 million at Sotheby's New York in 2018. Additionally, his piece Early Morning, Sainte-Maxime (1969) exceeded expectations, selling for over £20 million at Christie's London in 2022, more than doubling its estimate.
The consistent demand for Hockney's artworks and the remarkable prices they command underscore his enduring legacy in the art world. Winter Timber's sale for £20.4 million stands as a testament to the ongoing appreciation for Hockney's artistic genius, particularly his ability to capture fleeting moments in nature through his distinctive landscape compositions.
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Portrait of Sir David Webster sold for $17 million
Portrait of Sir David Webster, painted by David Hockney in 1971, is a stunning tribute to the former general administrator of the Royal Opera House. The artist captures Sir Webster's dignity and presence through bold colours and fluid brushstrokes, resulting in a portrait that exudes vitality and warmth. This esteemed artwork reflects Hockney's exceptional ability to capture the essence of his subjects with finesse.
In 2018, "Portrait of Sir David Webster" sold at auction for an impressive $17 million, underscoring its significance and appeal among art collectors. This sale highlights Hockney's standing as one of the most esteemed British contemporary artists, with his works consistently commanding high prices at auctions around the globe.
While "Portrait of Sir David Webster" fetched a notable sum, it is not Hockney's most expensive work sold at auction. That distinction belongs to "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)", which sold for a staggering $90.3 million at Christie's in 2018, setting a record for the most expensive artwork by a living artist at the time. This iconic painting from 1972 blends Hockney's signature themes of swimming pools and double portraits, captivating collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Hockney's works have experienced significant growth in value over the years, with his prints at auction ranging from around £1,000 to over £500,000. His market presence continues to thrive, with his prints, paintings, and digital artworks in high demand among collectors at various levels.
The esteemed "Portrait of Sir David Webster" stands as a testament to Hockney's artistic prowess, securing its place in the upper echelons of the art world with its impressive auction price of $17 million.
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The Splash sold for $29.8 million
David Hockney is one of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, with his artworks fetching significant sums at auction houses worldwide. In 2020, his painting "The Splash" sold for $29.8 million at Sotheby's. This work is part of Hockney's celebrated series depicting the moment when a diver breaks the surface of a swimming pool, sending water cascading into the air.
"The Splash" is characterised by its dynamic composition and vivid hues, showcasing Hockney's fascination with the interplay of light and movement. The painting is a testament to Hockney's mastery of composition and narrative, exuding a sense of mystery and introspection. With its sale, "The Splash" cemented its status as an iconic representation of Hockney's oeuvre and a career-defining work.
The painting's execution showcases Hockney's ability to portray light, colour, and water while keeping the theme of human relationships central. The artist's use of perspective, playing with the idea of two figures in different styles, is a typical Hockney trait. This work, created in 1966, established his international reputation as one of the most important artists of his generation.
The sale of "The Splash" further underscores Hockney's enduring legacy and his profound impact on contemporary art. As one of the most esteemed British contemporary artists still actively creating, it is no surprise that Hockney's prints continue to command impressive prices at auctions.
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Frequently asked questions
David Hockney's painting 'Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)' sold for $90.3 million at Christie's New York in 2018, making it the most expensive artwork by a living artist ever sold at auction at the time.
Other David Hockney paintings that have sold for notable prices include 'Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica' ($21 million), 'Early Morning, Sainte-Maxime' (£20 million), 'Winter Timber' (£20.4 million), 'Portrait of Sir David Webster' ($17 million), and 'The Splash' ($29.8 million).
This painting is considered one of Hockney's most iconic works, showcasing his mastery of composition and narrative. It blends two of his iconic themes: swimming pools and double portraits. The painting is said to exude a sense of mystery and introspection.
The painting was promoted as "one of the great masterpieces of the modern era" and the "holy grail" of Hockney's work. It was described as "particularly labour intensive and emotionally harrowing." The auction house estimated its value at $80 million, and the final selling price of $90.3 million reflected the intense desire for the artwork, with at least two bidders vying for it.
