David Hockney Prints With Exceptional Provenance

For original paintings, provenance often includes records from esteemed private collections, notable exhibitions, and previous sales. These elements enhance an artwork’s desirability, not only by verifying its authenticity but also by contributing to the narrative surrounding its history. In today’s art market, where collectors approach acquisitions with increasing caution, provenance has become more than just a detail - it is a marker of exclusivity and prestige. Buyers are not just searching for any David Hockney Yorkshire landscape or swimming pool painting; they are seeking the definitive example, with a story and rarity that sets it apart.

The Two Types of Provenance That Drive High-Value Works

Provenance-driven value typically falls into two categories. First, there are works that have remained hidden from public view for decades, making their sudden reappearance at auction a monumental event. Second, there are works with a rich, storied ownership history - pieces that have passed through carefully curated private collections, sometimes tied to celebrity figures or influential patrons. These collections, which top auction houses compete for year after year, add an intimate, historical dimension to an artwork’s value. Collectors want to own a piece that was once displayed in an exclusive home, admired by the cultural elite, or exhibited in a prestigious museum before entering the market for the first time.

David Hockney’s Most Significant Provenance-Driven Sales

Take, for example, two standout Hockney originals that surfaced recently at auction. California (1965), a rare and highly anticipated swimming pool painting, made its first-ever auction appearance at Christie’s March 2024 sale. Depicting two figures floating in Hockney’s signature undulating blue water, the painting had been acquired by a private collector in 1968 and remained unseen by the public for over five decades. Its only recent exposure had been a digital presentation in David Hockney: Bigger & Closer at London’s Lightroom in 2023. This kind of scarcity and exclusivity made California one of the most anticipated sales of the year, ultimately fetching £18.7 million.

By contrast, A Lawn Being Sprinkled (1967) carried a different but equally powerful provenance. This work passed through several galleries, including one of Hockney’s key representatives, the L.A. Louver in Venice, California, before being acquired by a private collector in 1978. Unlike California, this work boasted an extensive exhibition history, having been displayed at Tate Britain in London, the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, and The Met in New York as part of a major Hockney retrospective from 2017–2018. Having been widely admired, in excellent condition, and now ready for new ownership, it sold for £22.5 million. Both examples illustrate how provenance - whether through scarcity or exhibition history - can define an artwork’s desirability and market performance.

Private Collection Provenance: The Mica Ertegun Sale

Another compelling example of provenance-driven sales came in the autumn auctions of 2024, when Christie’s presented The Collection of Mica Ertegun. A celebrated interior designer and philanthropist, Ertegun was known for her impeccable taste and deep contributions to Contemporary art. As the co-founder of MAC II, her design firm was instrumental in shaping modern aesthetics, and her personal art collection reflected that same discerning eye. To own a piece from her collection was to own a piece of that prestige.

Among the highlights was Hockney’s Still Life on a Glass Table (1971), a masterful still life composition featuring a delicate interplay of light, colour, and reflection. Set against a peach-pink backdrop, the arrangement of flowers and objects on the glass table radiated elegance - a perfect reflection of Ertegun’s refined sensibility. Acquired by her in 1975, this work carried an additional layer of desirability due to its distinguished ownership history. When it finally entered the secondary market for the first time, it achieved £15.3 million, proving once again how provenance elevates an artwork’s standing.

While provenance has long been a key factor in valuing paintings, its role in the print market is evolving. Historically, prints have not been tied to individual ownership as significantly as paintings, given their multiple editions. However, as the appreciation for prints continues to grow, so does the importance of provenance in this sector. Unlike paintings, where an artwork’s history is often tied to its previous owners, prints derive provenance from different factors - such as their association with landmark exhibitions in relation to the creation date, the condition of the work and quality of the paper, or their inclusion in significant and high-value auction sales. These elements are becoming increasingly relevant as collectors recognise prints not just as accessible alternatives to paintings, but as investment-worthy artworks in their own right.

How does the conversation change when considering the role of provenance in prints? Provenance is a key factor in determining the value of original paintings, shaping their historical significance and desirability - but where does it intersect with prints? A review of auction archives shows that prints with provenance tied to esteemed collectors or institutions are relatively uncommon. However, a notable exception occurred in April 2023, when Christie’s presented The Sale of the Century: An Important Corporate Collection of Prints and Multiples. Featuring nearly 400 prints and multiples from the most sought-after blue chip artists, the sale was a resounding success and contributed to the broader momentum of the print market. While the prestige of the corporate collection likely played a role, what proved even more compelling was the presentation - complete sets and individual prints from the most established blue chip names were curated into a cohesive narrative, much like the strategy behind private collection sales at auction.

Celebrity Ownership and Its Limited Impact on Print Market Value

Another layer of provenance often discussed in the art market is celebrity ownership. In the world of paintings, celebrity provenance can substantially impact value. However, this influence has not yet fully translated into the prints market. A recent case that tested this theory occurred in July 2024, when Bonhams’ Modern Design Auction in Los Angeles offered 35 works from actor Jim Carrey’s collection, including an artist’s proof of David Hockney’s lithograph Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink for Book (1980). Estimated at $30,000 - $40,000, the print ultimately sold for $40,960, just reaching its high estimate with fees. While this specific edition has been subject to market saturation, its association with Carrey had little effect on its final price. This suggests that, unlike paintings, where celebrity ownership can command a premium, prints are still primarily valued based on their rarity, condition, and historical significance rather than the notoriety of their previous owners.

The Importance of Print Age and Condition in Provenance

Instead of being tied to private collections or celebrity ownership, print provenance is more closely linked to the date of creation. Printmaking, which dates back to the 15th century, carries an intrinsic sense of historical importance. Owning a print that has survived for centuries in pristine condition is akin to owning a tangible piece of history. However, the challenge here is that collector demand currently favours Contemporary prints by blue chip artists rather than historical works. In these cases, rather than provenance, the condition of a print becomes the primary driver of value. This topic was a focal point in our recent discussions: while provenance could be an emerging consideration, the current market places greater emphasis on factors such as condition, the year of creation, and verifying the original point of purchase. Unlike original paintings, where a prestigious private collection can significantly impact value, prints operate within a unique market dynamic where these tangible factors often hold more weight.

The Role of Print Publishers in Establishing Provenance

There is, however, another way provenance can apply to prints - through print publishers and the materials used in production. Hockney’s print market offers a compelling example of this, highlighting how the studios he collaborated with play a crucial role in shaping the value and authenticity of his editions. Renowned for his innovative and diverse approach to printmaking, Hockney worked closely with some of the most esteemed print publishers in the industry. Two of the most significant names in his career are Tyler Graphics and Gemini G.E.L.

Tyler Graphics, founded in 1974 by master printmaker Kenneth E. Tyler, became a powerhouse in print publishing, working with leading Contemporary artists, including Hockney. Before establishing Tyler Graphics, Tyler co-founded Gemini G.E.L. in Los Angeles in 1966, a pioneering print workshop that quickly gained international recognition for its collaborations with top American and international artists. Hockney’s long-standing relationships with both studios were instrumental in refining his printmaking techniques and producing some of his most celebrated editions. These partnerships reinforce the importance of print publishers in establishing the desirability and credibility of Hockney’s works, making them a key factor in how provenance is considered within the print market.

How Printmakers Influence the Value and Authenticity of Hockney Prints

While printmakers are often overlooked compared to the artists themselves, they play an integral role in the creative process. In Hockney’s case, his time working with these publishers is directly tied to the major artistic influences that shaped his career. His early swimming pool prints emerged from his fascination with New York and California, where he first encountered the distinctive light and atmosphere of each city. This acute sensitivity to movement - seen in the way he captures reflections in water, shadows, and sunshine - became a defining element of his most sought-after series. Hockney’s Swimming Pools collection consists of various individual prints and lithographs, each with its own edition size and unique colour variations. While traditional provenance is centreed around ownership, for prints, the publisher’s mark acts as a history of creation and legitimacy, ensuring the authenticity and quality of the work.

The Growing Provenance of Hockney’s iPad Prints and Their Rise to Evening Auctions

As Hockney’s career progressed, so did his approach to printmaking. Moving beyond traditional lithographs and etchings, he embraced digital technology, pushing the boundaries of the medium. His iPad Drawings are a testament to this evolution. However, these works - due to their contemporary digital printing methods and their relative scarcity on the market - lack both the traditional appeal of an esteemed print publisher and the depth of a mature provenance. This raises an important question: where does their value come from?

One compelling argument lies in their remarkable trajectory in the secondary market. Initially appearing in lower-tier day sales, these works have since transitioned into evening marquee sales, a category historically reserved for the highest-value artworks. This shift demonstrates another way in which provenance functions within the print market. While these digital works may not yet carry the prestige of celebrity ownership or a storied private collection, their inclusion in high-profile evening sales elevates their status and reinforces their long-term value.

The progression of certain works from lower-value auctions to premier sales also provides key insights into market demand. It signals which high-value collectors are engaging with these works and suggests a growing confidence in their investment potential. Beyond value, this inclusion also bolsters their authenticity, as artworks featured in these sales undergo rigorous provenance and purchase history checks. While the provenance of these digital prints is still in its early stages, their increasing presence in prestigious sales highlights their potential, further demonstrating how the concept of provenance in the print market continues to evolve.

Like most aspects of the art market, provenance presents a nuanced picture that varies across different mediums. However, what remains crucial is ensuring that new collectors understand these distinctions when entering the market. Provenance is a key consideration, and collectors - especially those new to the market - will, and should, inquire about it. However, it is equally important to understand the broader complexities of the art market beyond the emphasis on provenance in paintings alone. Providing guidance on these complexities, from authentication to market trends, is essential in fostering informed participation. Educating collectors on these nuances will not only drive market growth but also create new opportunities for diversification across different mediums and price points.