Name: Celia Reclining
Brand: David Hockney
Rating: 5 (235 reviews)

Track auction value trend

The value of David Hockney’s Celia Reclining (signed) is estimated to be worth between £3,050 and £4,550. This lithograph print, created in 1979, has shown consistent value growth over the past five years. There have been 12 sales at auction since its initial sale in July 2009. In the last 12 months, the hammer price has varied from £2,492 in March 2023 to £9,000 in December 2020. The average annual growth rate of this work is currently -2%. The edition size of this artwork is limited to 100.

Meaning & Analysis

In contrast to Hockney’s other portraits of Celia Birtwell in the Gemini G.E.L 1979 Portfolio, Celia Reclining feels closer to a quick sketch than a lithograph. While Celia Elegant and Celia Musing show the textile designer in a formal pose, rendered in loose inky brushstrokes, here we are presented with a more intimate portrayal of Hockney’s close friend and muse. Curled up in a chair, Birtwell is shown at rest, one arm pulled back as if stretching or in mid conversation, distracted from the role of the sitter. Her eyes are turned away from us and we feel like we have caught her unawares. While Birtwell's hair and body are made up of faint lines Hockney chooses to change style for her face, adding a depth to her lips that highlights the minimalism of the rest of her body. In this way the work recalls Ann Combing Her Hairfrom the same series where the sitter’s garment is given more attention than her face. This is one of seven portraits of Birtwell in the portfolio and represents Hockney’s fondness for her as both friend and sitter, whom he once described as having “a very rare face with lots of things in it which appeal to me.”

British-born artist David Hockney is a kaleidoscopic force in the art world. Born in 1937, Hockney's vibrant palette and innovative techniques have left an indelible mark on contemporary art. A pioneer of the British Pop Art movement in the 1960s, he seamlessly transitioned through various styles, from photo collages to vivid landscapes. Renowned for his exploration of light and space, Hockney's versatility extends to painting, printmaking, photography, and stage design. A captivating storyteller, his works often capture the essence of modern life with a playful yet profound touch. With a career spanning decades, Hockney remains an enduring visionary in the ever-evolving art world.