The Sexton Stood Still As A Ghost
The Sexton Stood Still As A Ghost
Signed Print
David Hockney
£1,700-£2,500
$3,400-$5,000 Value Indicator
$3,150-$4,600 Value Indicator
¥16,000-¥24,000 Value Indicator
€1,950-€2,850 Value Indicator
$18,000-$26,000 Value Indicator
¥350,000-¥520,000 Value Indicator
$2,250-$3,350 Value Indicator
There aren't enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.
45 x 40cm, Edition of 100, Etching
Auction Results
Track auction value trend
Meaning & Analysis
The Sexton Stood Still As A Ghost is a 1969 etching and aquatint by David Hockney. Part of the Illustrations For Six Fairy Tales From The Brothers Grimm series, this print depicts a sexton facing an ethereal figure who is shrouded in a white cloak with two white feet poking out at the bottom of the composition. Created on Hodgkinson handmade paper measuring 42 x 28.5 cm, it's one of 100 in a limited edition.
In The Sexton Stood Still As A Ghost, Hockney employs a combination of line etching and aquatint techniques to create a visually striking interpretation of the Grimm Brothers' tale. The composition contrasts a solid, detailed sexton figure with a flowing, sheet-like apparition, effectively conveying the narrative's eerie atmosphere.
Hockney's use of negative space is particularly notable in this work. The blank areas surrounding the figures contribute significantly to the overall composition, enhancing the sense of tension and unease central to the story. The aquatint technique adds depth and texture, particularly evident in the ghost's form and the background's subtle gradations.