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Celia Observing - Signed Print by David Hockney 1976 - MyArtBroker

Celia Observing
Signed Print

David Hockney

£4,350-£6,500Value Indicator

$9,000-$13,500 Value Indicator

$8,000-$12,000 Value Indicator

¥45,000-¥60,000 Value Indicator

€5,000-€7,500 Value Indicator

$45,000-$70,000 Value Indicator

¥870,000-¥1,290,000 Value Indicator

$6,000-$9,000 Value Indicator

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68 x 54cm, Edition of 60, Intaglio

Medium: Intaglio

Edition size: 60

Year: 1976

Size: H 68cm x W 54cm

Signed: Yes

Format: Signed Print

Last Auction: December 2024

Value Trend:

-7% AAGR

AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.

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Auction Results

Auction Date
Auction House
Location
Return to Seller
Hammer Price
Buyer Paid
December 2024
Burchard Galleries
United States
£3,030
£3,565
£4,206
November 2023
Sotheby's Online
United Kingdom
August 2022
Sotheby's Online
United Kingdom
March 2020
Christie's London
United Kingdom
October 2018
Christie's New York
United States
October 2018
Phillips New York
United States
October 2014
Sotheby's New York
United States
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Track auction value trend

The value of David Hockney’s Celia Observing (signed) is estimated to be worth between £4,350 and £6,500. This intaglio print, created in 1976, has an auction history of 16 total sales since its entry to the market in May 1997. The past 12 months have seen 1 sale, with an average selling price of £3,565. Over the last five years, the hammer price has varied from £3,565 in December 2024 to £15,120 in August 2022. The average annual growth rate of this work is currently -7%. This artwork is part of a limited edition of 60.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.8Oct 2014Jun 2016Mar 2018Nov 2019Jul 2021Apr 2023Dec 2024£2,000£2,500£3,000£3,500£4,000£4,500© MyArtBroker

Meaning & Analysis

This portrait sees the fashion designer and close friend of Hockney sitting on an armchair, her pose casual and relaxed, belying the intimacy between artist and sitter. Her dress, which tells us about her sense of style, even without our knowledge of her profession, is depicted in soft crayon-like marks in red and black which Hockney has expertly conveyed with intaglio. Her face is partially hidden by her curly fringe which hangs over one eye and yet we can discern that she is staring off into the middle distance and failing to meet the artist’s gaze. She appears lost in thought, perhaps reflecting on what she has just read in the book tossed casually beside the armchair, however the title of the work tells us that she is ‘observing’, perhaps looking closely at something out of our sight.

By turns enigmatic, delightful, cheerful and melancholy, Birtwell is a versatile model and it’s easy to see why Hockney returns to her again and again. Speaking of his love for the designer as both friend and subject Hockney said, “Celia has a beautiful face, a very rare face with lots of things in it which appeal to me. It shows aspects of her, like her intuitive knowledge and her kindness, which I think is the greatest virtue. To me she’s such a special person.”

  • 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.

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