Name: The Shop Window Of A Tobacco Store
Brand: David Hockney
Rating: 5 (233 reviews)

Track auction value trend

The value of David Hockney’s The Shop Window Of A Tobacco Store (signed) is estimated to be worth between £1,650 and £2,500. This intaglio print, created in 1966, has shown consistent value growth, with an average annual growth rate of 6%. This is a rare artwork with an auction history of 5 total sales since its entry to the market on 2nd June 2005. The edition size of this artwork is limited to 75.

Auction Date

Auction House

Location

Hammer Price

Return to Seller

Buyer Paid

September 2023

Phillips London

United Kingdom

September 2010

Christie's London

United Kingdom

June 2008

Bonhams New Bond Street

United Kingdom

April 2006

Christie's London

United Kingdom

June 2005

Christie's London

United Kingdom

Meaning & Analysis

The Shop Window Of A Tobacco Store sees Hockney incorporating architectural elements, text and figures in a way that recalls many of the prints from his previous series of etchings, A Rake’s Progress. Here we find a group of men in front of the tobacco shop of the title, their figures captured mid conversation. Two of them are dressed casually and appear to be discussing something; their heads are turned towards each other in intimacy or complicitness, as if planning an assignation. A third man, wearing a kind of fez style of hat, walks towards them but it is unclear whether he will join them or if he is just a passerby. His figure is framed by a dark archway which echoes the ogee windows that appear like cut outs above the shop sign declaring ‘His master’s voice’ in English and arabic. With its contrast of light and dark, shaded areas and fine lines, the work demonstrates Hockney’s mastery of etching and evolution of style since A Rake’s Progress. Made in 1967 to accompany a new translation of fourteen poems by Greek poet C.P.Cavafy, the works in this series are overt in their depiction of queer desire, suggesting this scene is more than just a casual encounter on the street.

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.