Extremely Limited: David Hockney's Swimming Pools

While Hockney’s swimming pool paintings are rare at auction, his Swimming Pools print collection is particularly unique. Unlike most print collections, which typically consist of works with similar imagery available in consistent edition sizes, Hockney’s swimming pool prints vary significantly in both composition and edition numbers. The collection includes a range of highly coveted works, such as Lithographic Pool prints, Pool Made With Paper And Blue Ink For Book, Afternoon Swimming, and various other interpretations of his iconic pools. These individual Swimming Pool works rarely appear at auction, and their market presence is defined by their own uniqueness rather than being tied to the availability of other works in the broader collection.

The Rarest Work in Hockney’s Swimming Pools Print Collection: Afternoon Swimming

Among Hockney’s Swimming Pools prints, Afternoon Swimming stands as the rarest and most elusive. Created in 1980 in an edition of just 55, along with 18 artist proofs (AP), this incredibly scarce lithograph has only sold nine times at auction and no AP has ever surfaced on the secondary market.

The first recorded auction sale of Afternoon Swimming was at Sotheby’s in 2012, where it sold for £36,700 (hammer). Since then, its value has steadily increased, with the last recorded sale at Phillips in September 2022, achieving £238,110 at the hammer - marking a staggering increase. Over the past ten-year period, the print’s value has grown at an average rate of 55% per annum.

Hockney’s Lithographic Pools: A Unique Printmaking Experiment

Also included in Hockney’s Swimming Pools print collection are his Lithographic Pools, a rare and distinctive set of works printed on handmade paper in eleven different variations and edition sizes. These prints were designated by Tyler Graphics (TG) numbering, a system unique to this collection. Unlike most print editions, where edition sizes and proof types typically influence price, Hockney’s Lithographic Pools exhibit an unusual trend - special proofs do not always command higher prices than main edition prints.

For instance, Lithograph of Water Made of Lines (T.G. 253) sold at Phillips in September 2022 for £99,213 (hammer) as part of the main edition. However, an AP of the same work sold at Phillips in June 2024 for just £65,000 (hammer), demonstrating that collectors prioritise specific qualities such as the condition of the print and the vibrancy of Hockney’s signature squiggly pool lines over proof designation.

Reflecting an extremely experimental and creative phase in Hockney’s career, Lithographic Pools showcase his most recognisable motif and coveted exploration - his fascination with water - also highlighting his long-standing collaboration with printmaker Kenneth Tyler. The record auction price for one of Hockney’s Lithographic Pool prints was achieved in 2023 when Lithograph of Water Made of Lines, a Green Wash, and a Light Blue Wash (T.G. 248) sold at Phillips for £168,661 (hammer).

These prints experienced a record-breaking year in 2023, achieving a total of £1.3 million across 14 sales. However, in 2024, their market saw a decline in total sales value, largely due to a drop in supply, with only five prints selling at auction - less than half the volume of the previous year. This decrease aligns with broader macroeconomic conditions rather than a depreciation in value, reinforcing the ongoing desirability of these prints.

Discover More In Extremely Limited: David Hockney

In Extremely Limited: David Hockney, MyArtBroker's first collaborative report with ArtTactic, we take a comprehensive, data-driven look at Hockney's originals and prints market. By comparing his Swimming Pools paintings with his Swimming Pools prints, the report uncovers key market trends shaping the value of his most sought-after works.

For unparalleled insights into the market performance of Hockney's Swimming Pools print collection, visit ArtTactic.com to download the report and here to receive an exclusive promotional discount.