Afternoon Swimming
Afternoon Swimming
Signed Print
David Hockney
£180,000-£270,000Value Indicator
$380,000-$570,000 Value Indicator
$330,000-$490,000 Value Indicator
¥1,690,000-¥2,530,000 Value Indicator
€210,000-€310,000 Value Indicator
$1,780,000-$2,670,000 Value Indicator
¥33,350,000-¥50,030,000 Value Indicator
$230,000-$340,000 Value Indicator
AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
There aren't enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.
Medium: Lithograph
Edition size: 55
Year: 1980
Size: H 79cm x W 99cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2022 | Phillips London | United Kingdom | |||
| October 2021 | Christie's New York | United States | |||
| October 2019 | Christie's New York | United States | |||
| October 2018 | Christie's New York | United States | |||
| April 2017 | Sotheby's Online | United Kingdom | |||
| March 2017 | Christie's London | United Kingdom | |||
| October 2013 | Phillips New York | United States |
Meaning & Analysis
This joyful lithograph is one of many depictions of swimming pools that pervade David Hockney’s long career. Afternoon Swimming was published as a signed edition of 55 in 1980. With its bold blue and pink brushstrokes this work exuberates the carefree joy of swimming.
The pool that is so ubiquitous in Hockney’s LA period is here transformed from the still, flat style of A Bigger Splash to a more transparent lithograph, filled with figures – or perhaps just the same figure repeated as they swim lengths – and movement. A red lilo floats on the surface of the pool looking like a section of an overstuffed armchair and presenting an image of relaxation which is at odds with the vigorous exercises of the swimmer(s). Hockney’s brushstrokes on the lithograph stone are hugely expressive and suggest he may have been using tusche (diluted lithographic ink) in order to achieve this watery and free effect. In this way the work appears almost fauvist in style, recalling the work of Matisse, particularly in the splash of water in the right hand side and the black outlines of trees or plants that act as a background. Hockney moved to LA in 1964, in search of the sharp light and shadows he had seen in Hollywood movies as a student. Comparing the move to ‘Van Gogh going to Arles’, he sought to escape what he saw as the greyness of post-war England, and in Afternoon Swimming it appears he succeeded.
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.
