Auction Watch: David Hockney Arrival of Spring Prints Achieve £3.5M at Sotheby’s
The Arrival Of Spring 6th of May 2011 © David Hockney 2011
Market Reports
Sixteen works from David Hockney’s Arrival of Spring series sold for £3.5 million at Sotheby’s, confirming continued demand for the celebrated iPad print portfolio. The sale, drawn from a single private collection, attracted strong presale interest and competitive bidding throughout, with every lot sold and multiple works setting new auction records.
Sotheby’s Arrival of Spring Auction Achieves £3.5M with All Lots Sold
Sotheby’s final installment of Hockney’s Arrival of Spring prints from a single private collection closed just now with decisive results, confirming continued demand for the series.
The auction offered 16 works, each attracting intense presale interest, with bids reaching up to 250% above the low estimate before the sale even began.
By the end of the auction, the group achieved £3.5 million at the hammer – 136% above the low estimate – with every lot sold.
Arrival of Spring 6th May Sets £380,000 Record at Sotheby’s Auction
The standout result came as expected from Arrival of Spring, 6th May, the close-up composition of vivid green foliage. Appearing publicly for the fourth time, the work set a new auction record of £380,000.
Another highlight followed early in the sale with 31st May No.1, which entered the room with a £170,000 presale bid against a £120,000 high estimate.
The previous record belonged to the rarer edition of 10, which achieved £320,000. Remarkably, the larger edition format of 25, yet smaller composition, surpassed that level, hammering at £350,000.
Competitive Bidding Drives Strong Results for Hockney’s Arrival of Spring Prints
One of the most competitive moments came with 25th March, recognised for its iconic pathway and roadside horse-crossing sign.
Previously recorded only in the edition of 10 at £190,000, the edition of 25 quickly surpassed expectations when a determined phone bidder opened at £200,000 straight from £160,000.
Momentum continued through the close of the auction. The final lot, 5th March, easily recognised by the parked cars along the roadside, appeared set to hammer at £170,000 before a last-second bid pushed the result to £190,000.
13 Arrival of Spring Prints Set New Auction Records
Across the group, 13 resale works established new auction records, outperforming their previous results by between 10% and 230%.
The results reinforce the continued strength of the Arrival of Spring market, particularly when works appear as part of a focused collection offering.
Learn more about the market for Hockney prints in our Hockney Seller's Guide.
