A Buyer’s Guide To David Hockney

Hockney is not only one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, but also one of the most prolific printmakers. His willingness to adopt new mediums – from etching and lithography to photocopiers, fax machines, and eventually iPads – has created an expansive body of editioned works.

For buyers, Hockney's print market offers a wide range of works, from vibrant landscapes and intimate portraits to bold swimming pools and playful digital flowers. His prints bridge innovation and accessibility, making him a consistent presence in museums and collections worldwide. At a time when institutional visibility remains high – with the upcoming Serpentine Galleries exhibition in London set to reveal new digital works in 2026, following recent shows at Fondation Louis Vuitton (Paris) and Lightroom (London) – owning a Hockney print connects buyers directly to one of the most culturally relevant artists of our time.

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Phillips’ 4th annual Hockney sale in June 2025 provides one of the clearest signals of where the market stands today. The auction hammered at £667,500 across 38 lots, with 87% of works selling above estimate and the sale closing 51% above the low presale estimate. By conventional measures this was a strong result, but the catalogue was notably slimmer than in 2024 (38 lots versus 58) and absent of the highest-value offerings such as complete sets, Arrival of Spring, or Swimming Pool works. Even so, estimates were tighter and bidding remained competitive for the material that was available.

This reflects not weakness but recalibration. Top consignments are increasingly difficult to secure for public sale, with more works placed privately instead. For buyers in the market, the takeaway is that leaner catalogues mean greater competition, and access to the most desirable Hockney editions now often lies in private channels rather than auction rooms. For a deeper look at the advantages of each route, read our guide on buying at auction versus private sale.

Hockney’s market spans a wide spectrum of price points, with opportunities available at a variety of budgets. At the entry level, occasionally exhibition poster works will come to auction, which can be acquired in the hundreds. There are also signed works under £10,000, these are individual prints drawn from larger portfolios such as A Rake’s Progress, Illustrations for Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm, The Blue Guitar, and his series of Dog Etchings. These prints carry long-term potential as complete sets of these series are becoming increasingly scarce and valuable, meaning individual prints may see further appreciation as full portfolios tighten on the market.

The mid-tier of Hockney's print market include various portraits and etchings of close friends like Celia Birtwell, Gregory Evans, and Erotic Prints. Yet, what is increasingly defining this bracket are Hockney’s floral etchings and digital iPad drawings. These digital works offer buyers breadth beyond the six-figure Arrival of Spring prints through still-life flower arrangements, Yosemite landscapes, abstracted interiors from the Moving Focus collection, and even his upcoming Moon drawings will provide diversity at more attainable levels, while still carrying the innovation and immediacy that make his digital works so recognisable.

Beyond the major categories, there are opportunities in undervalued series. Colour lithographs of isolated interiors and A Hollywood Collection (1965), produced with Gemini G.E.L., rarely appear but offer accessible entry points into Hockney’s early American period. Likewise, his photographic collages surface infrequently yet provide distinctive options for buyers drawn to his more experimental works.

Hockney’s printmaking spans more than six decades and includes etchings, lithographs, aquatints, photocopier works, fax experiments, and digital iPad drawings. Buyers will encounter both main edition prints and special proofs, which are often denoted as Artist’s Proofs (AP), Printer’s Proofs (PP), or Trial Proofs (TP). Some proofs are also marked with Roman numerals. While these are typically rarer and can command premiums, in Hockney’s market value is less about proof type alone and more about timing, condition, and colour quality.

For buyers, this means that a well-preserved, richly coloured work from a small edition can outperform a proof at auction if demand is strong. Conversely, a proof in pristine condition with strong provenance may hold a meaningful advantage. Understanding this balance – and checking carefully for edition details, paper quality, and colour consistency – is essential when assessing what a fair price looks like.

Hockney collectors in 2025 should watch for series and works that are less frequently discussed yet highly investable. Three standouts highlight where opportunity lies going into 2026:

1. The Yosemite Suite: Hockney’s digital iPad landscapes of Yosemite are a compelling alternative to his Arrival of Spring works. In April 2025, Untitled No. 1 sold at Christie’s for £104,641, marking only its fourth appearance at auction. This series offers various interpretations at values that can span £50,000 to £100,000+, making it one to watch as demand builds for his digital works.
2. An Image of Celia (State I), from Moving Focus: The Moving Focus series is also a large collection and various works are continuing to set new benchmarks in public auction sales. In April, An Image of Celia (State I) achieved £189,027 at Bonhams Los Angeles, setting a new record in just its third auction appearance. Produced in a small edition of 10, this result underscores both the rarity of these works and how significant pieces can surface outside the major auction houses.
3. Contrejour in the French Style: This etching, an intimate study of an isolated interior, shows Hockney’s meticulous attention to perspective and line. Contrejour in the French Style was offered at the London Original Print Fair in 2025 and also appeared at Christie’s in March, where it sold for £56,700. As a lesser-known work, it demonstrates how Hockney’s interior prints continue to hold value and appeal, particularly for collectors seeking pieces outside his most frequently traded motifs.

For buyers, these examples show how scarcity shapes Hockney’s market. Beyond his most iconic series, opportunities exist in lesser-traded collections and rare editions – provided close attention is paid to condition, edition size, and timing.

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Most of Hockney’s prints are signed in pencil, typically bottom right, with edition numbers noted bottom left. Depending on the publisher, many works also carry a blindstamp. The David Hockney Foundation, while not issuing certificates of authenticity, remains an essential research resource on the artist’s work and exhibitions. A full catalogue raisonné is currently in progress and is expected to launch online in 2026.

For buyers, provenance is critical. Detailed paperwork – invoices, gallery labels, or auction records – is essential, and works tied to major galleries such as L.A. Louver (Los Angeles), Annely Juda Fine Art (London), or Galerie Lelong (Paris) carry added weight. Although L.A. Louver recently announced the closure of its Venice, California gallery in 2025, works sourced through it will continue to hold strong provenance and historical significance. Even with trusted provenance, buyers are advised to seek specialist confirmation before purchase. For more on why provenance matters and how it can elevate value, see our article on Hockney prints with exceptional provenance.

Condition is one of the most important determinants of value. Collectors should inspect for fading, warping, staining, or other signs of damage. Some of Hockney’s experimental works, such as those produced via fax machines in the 1980s, are rarely found in pristine condition. In such cases, collectors must balance expectations – these prints were never intended as long-term fine art objects, yet their historical and experimental value has driven prices far beyond what Hockney likely imagined at the time.

For recent digital iPad prints, pristine condition is more common, though buyers should still confirm careful handling and framing. A condition report from a specialist is strongly recommended before purchase. You can explore more in our recent article, Is That Print Worth Buying?, which offers specialist insights on assessing condition, framing considerations, and what collectors should realistically expect from prints.

Hockney prints can be acquired through auction houses, art fairs, private dealers, and brokers like MyArtBroker. Buyers should be aware of the costs: auction houses add a 25–30% buyer’s premium plus VAT, while gallery markups can also be significant. Private platforms often offer fair market value transactions with greater discretion and support.

At MyArtBroker, our Trading Floor connects collectors directly with one another, supported by specialist checks for authenticity and condition. Buyers can also use MyPortfolio, our collection management tool, to track valuations in real time and identify opportunities to buy at the right moment.

With access to over 30,000 collectors, dealers, and galleries, MyArtBroker offers unparalleled reach across the secondary print market. Our dedicated specialists provide condition and provenance checks, negotiate private sales, and manage delivery – ensuring buyers can collect with confidence.

For those seeking their first or next Hockney print, our platform combines expertise, transparency, and market access – helping you secure the right work at the right price.