A Seller’s Guide To David Hockney
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David Hockney is one of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, celebrated with lifetime achievement awards and represented in major museum collections worldwide. While his paintings are iconic, his prints offer a distinct artistic voice uniquely suited to the medium. This seller’s guide outlines what you need to know to sell a Hockney print - from timing and platform strategy to maximising your return.
Is Now A Good Time To Sell A David Hockney Print?
Hockney remains one of the most actively collected blue chip artists - and despite talk of caution, his market continues to deliver. In the first half of 2025, total sales value for his prints reached £3.1 million across 133 lots - a marked rebound from H1 2024 and already outpacing last year’s full-year total by volume.
Hockney Sets New Print Record in June Auctions as Art Basel Sale Hits $13M
Much of this momentum is being driven by high-value editions. In the late June sales, Arrival of Spring, 4th May achieved £504,000 at Christie’s - matching the auction record for any individual Hockney print, first set by the same variation at Phillips in 2022. At Sotheby’s, 31st May No.1 reached £406,400, the second-highest result for the series to date.
Both works are extremely limited editions of 10 and capture what collectors value most about Arrival of Spring: bold colour, digital precision, large scale, and visual impact. These public auction results are strong - but the private market remains just as active, with discreet sales often achieving similar or higher levels. For more insights, download The Arrival of Spring market report.
But this top-end momentum extends beyond prints. At Art Basel 2025, Mid November Tunnel (2006) sold through Annely Juda Fine Art for between $13–17 million (USD), making it the fair’s highest-reported sale and underscoring Hockney’s continued strength across both print and original markets.
LVMH and Lightroom Bring Hockney Back into the Spotlight
Timing remains a powerful force in the art market - and institutional exposure often plays a pivotal role in directing collector interest. In April 2025, La Collection de la Fondation opened in Paris in collaboration with LVMH, marking the first major retrospective of Hockney’s work at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. Meanwhile in London, David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) - the immersive digital experience at Lightroom - has just been announced to return by popular demand, with an extended run through 29 June. Use code MAB20 for a 20% discount on tickets to the exhibition.
While exhibitions don’t directly trigger price jumps, they often act as market catalysts, concentrating attention and reaffirming an artist’s cultural relevance. As noted in ArtTactic’s latest findings, global sales of Hockney’s work reached $125 million in 2024 - up 26% year on year - a figure that spans both prints and originals. That level of sustained market engagement reflects the strength of Hockney’s brand and the ongoing appetite for his most iconic series.
In an increasingly selective market, awareness of these institutional moments - alongside a clear view of market cycles and collector demand - can help sellers and collectors make better-informed, well-timed decisions.
What’s Driving Demand for Hockney Prints in 2025?
While Hockney’s Swimming Pools and Arrival of Spring prints remain market anchors, 2025 has brought growing interest in a wider range of works. Anticipation is also building for a new digital series of moonlit reflections in Normandy, confirmed by Holly Braine of Annely Juda Fine Art in a live panel - already drawing focus to his more atmospheric prints. As attention builds, sellers may find timely opportunities to act ahead of renewed visibility and supply shifts.
The Weather Series Holds Strong, Led by Rain and Snow
One of the strongest performers so far this year is The Weather Series. While Rain remains the highest-valued print in the set, Snow has seen a notable surge in demand, setting back-to-back records and now trading around the £80,000 mark. Despite lower volume than in previous years, average pricing across the series in H1 2025 is nearing its 2022 peak - a sign of resilient demand and growing confidence in individual works.
→ Read our dedicated market report on The Weather Series
iPad Drawings & Flower Lithographs Attract Growing Interest
Digital works from Hockney’s iPad Drawings collection are also gaining traction. In April, 24th February 2021, Red, Yellow and Purple Flowers on a Blue Tablecloth sold for £40,350 (hammer) on the Asian auction market, while Untitled, 852 (Dandelions) reached £61,865 at Christie’s - highlighting sustained appetite for these colourful, accessible compositions. Meanwhile, traditional lithographic floral prints such as Still Life With Book and Pretty Tulips continue to see increased interest at the lower and mid-price tiers, further reinforcing demand for his still life works.
Pool Prints Remain the Market’s Most Liquid Category
Hockney’s works from the Swimming Pools collection remain among the most liquid in his market - a testament to their status as his most recognisable and enduring motif. Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink for Book, from Paper Pools, is the most frequently traded and has begun to show upward movement in price. The highest result in 2025 so far reached £69,300 at Christie’s in March.
Meanwhile, the lithographic pool prints - though produced in multiple variations - are relatively rare at auction and increasingly surfacing outside the major houses. Lithographic Water Made of Lines, Crayon and Blue Wash achieved the highest price in this category in 2025, selling for £121,500 at Doyle in New York.
Arrival of Spring Prints Sustain Collector Confidence
Collectors also continue to chase standout examples from the Arrival of Spring series. Among the highest results in 2025 so far: 25th March 2011 (edition of 10) sold for £192,264, followed by 14th May 2011 at £167,903, and 17th May 2011 at £173,209 - all demonstrating continued strength in this seasonal series.
→ Explore recent results in our Arrival of Spring market report
Moving Focus Series Gains Upper-Market Momentum
One of the clearest shifts in momentum is within the Moving Focus series. An Image of Celia (State I) sold for £189,376, while Hotel Acatlán: Second Day fetched £181,983, and An Image of Gregory achieved £105,526 - all in the first half of the year. These results place Moving Focus works firmly in the upper tier of Hockney’s print market and signal strong collector appetite for his more abstract and technically complex compositions.
Together, these trends suggest that while Hockney’s core themes remain resilient, buyer interest in 2025 is diversifying - with performance increasingly tied to edition size, visual impact, and medium. For collectors and sellers alike, this broad demand presents an opportunity to reassess works that may not have reached peak value - yet.
How Much Does A Hockney Print Sell For?
Hockney’s print market spans a broad range of price points, offering accessible options as well as high-value opportunities. At the entry level (sub £50,000) more affordable works include intimate etchings of interiors - showing Hockney's keen eye to design, detail, and perception - as well as portraits of friends and increasingly popular still-life, window gazes, interior views, and domestic quiet from his digital iPad variations. At the mid-tier, the majority of sales between 2020 and 2025 fall under £100,000, reflecting strong liquidity and market depth.
Mid-bracket works (£100,000–£200,000) also account for a significant and consistent share of the market. This range captures many of the Arrival of Spring prints from the larger edition of 25, as well as the vibrant and abstracted Hotel Acatlán works from Moving Focus.
At the top end of Hockney’s market, complete sets command the highest prices - though they remain exceptionally rare. In 2021, the complete set of Home-Made Prints achieved a record at £686,000, while sets like A Rake’s Progress and Dog Wall continue to trade above £300,000. Yet rarity isn’t limited to portfolios: individual works like the extremely limited edition of 10 Arrival of Spring prints can drive even higher value. Arrival of Spring, 4th May 2011 holds the current record achieving £504,000 in 2023 - proving that exclusivity and subject matter can drive even higher value.
Given the breadth of Hockney’s market, value for works within certain collections is relative and depends on timing, condition, and strategic placement. With growing demand across themes - from abstraction, to interiors, still-life florals, and portraits - even lower-value works are beginning to exceed estimates. For sellers, this signals a healthy market with real opportunity across all price tiers.
For a comprehensive overview on the latest market trends download The David Hockney Report. If you are looking to sell your Hockney print get in touch for a free, zero obligation valuation.
Pool Made With Paper And Blue Ink For Book © David Hockney 1980How Do I Prove My Hockney Print Is Authentic?
The Hockney Foundation
The David Hockney Foundation, established in 2008, functions as both a registered charity and a private operating foundation. The foundation owns more than 8,000 artworks. While it does not issue certificates of authenticity (COA) for verifying Hockney artworks, it serves as a valuable resource for researching different periods of Hockney's artistic practice, which catalogues all artworks in public collections and provides an extensive exhibition history.
While there is currently no official catalogue raisonné for Hockney's body of work, The Art Newspaper reported in May 2024 that a comprehensive production is on its way and will be available online in 2026. The debut volume will focus on the artist’s paintings, documenting more than 35,000 works.
Understanding Hockney’s Gallery Representation and Signature
Hockney is represented by some of the world’s most established galleries, including L.A. Louver (California), Annely Juda Fine Art (London), and Galerie Lelong (Paris). While these galleries don’t handle secondary market resales, they do play a critical role in validating provenance. If your Hockney print was originally acquired through one of these representatives, keeping the original invoice, gallery sticker, or certificate is key. Often, framed works will include a gallery-issued label with a sales reference number on the reverse - this can aid in tracing authenticity and provenance.
Many prints sold through these galleries have also featured in exhibitions, sometimes with published catalogues. If your work appears in one of these, that documented exhibition history can add credibility and potentially increase its value.
Most Hockney prints are signed in pencil by the artist, typically at the bottom right of the sheet, with the year noted in shortened form (e.g., ‘08’ for 2008). The edition number is usually marked on the lower left. While these signature placements are consistent, minor variations can exist depending on the edition. Some works - like photography or promotional posters - may not be signed at all. If you’re unsure about what you have, a professional evaluation can help determine its authenticity and current market value.
What Sellers Should Know About Hockney’s Print Publishers
Understanding who published your Hockney print - and when - can provide valuable context for authenticity and market value. Over his career, Hockney worked with several major print studios, many of which left identifiable blind stamps on his etchings and lithographs.
Notable collaborations include:
- Editions Alecto, publisher of A Rake’s Progress (1963)
- Petersburg Press, which released Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm (1969)
- Gemini G.E.L., a longstanding partner since 1973
- Tyler Graphics, known for the Paper Pools series - a distinctive body of unique editions that merges painting and printmaking, developed with master printer Kenneth Tyler
More recently, Hockney has self-published signed iPad prints, often including his own blind stamp alongside a signature, date, and edition number.
While publishers themselves don’t guarantee authenticity, a recognised blind stamp from a reputable studio can enhance a print’s provenance and buyer confidence. Sellers should include this detail when valuing or marketing their Hockney print.
What If My Hockney Print Needs Restoring?
Condition plays a critical role in the value of any Hockney print. Today’s market increasingly recognises pristine condition as a value driver - but not all imperfections reduce worth. Some works, especially those made using experimental or fragile mediums, carry unique nuances that reflect the period in which they were created.
That said, certain condition issues - such as undulation (warping), discolouration from light, tears, or poor framing - can impact resale. As Helena Poole, MyArtBroker's Modern & Contemporary Art Specialist, explains during a live panel, certain works are vulnerable to damage due to their unorthodox production techniques, like Hockney's experimental fax machine prints, while newer iPad prints are more likely to be in mint condition.
If you’re unsure whether a mark or flaw affects value, it is always recommended to consult a restoration specialist. Visit The Directory on MyArtBroker for trusted art conservation contacts. For deeper insight, our article Is That Print Still Worth Buying? explores real-life case studies in print care and valuation.
Ways to Sell with MyArtBroker
At MyArtBroker, our specialists offer free market valuations grounded in real-time data and auction history - providing a level of transparency that’s rare in today’s art market. Through our online Trading Floor, sellers can view current demand for specific works, including what’s wanted, listed, or recently sold, helping validate and contextualise any valuation provided.
Our free MyPortfolio collection management tool also grants access to our print market database, which includes over 50,000 auction records. This allows sellers to review hammer prices, realised values, and past returns for the exact work they wish to sell - essential insight when navigating a fluctuating market.
Our approach is tailored to align with the unique attributes of each artwork, and offer optimal results:
How a Private Sale Works
Unlike general peer-to-peer platforms, we specialise in private sales supported by expert guidance, legal infrastructure, and authentication oversight. We charge sellers 0% commission - all costs, including insurance, shipping, and marketing, are absorbed by us. Revenue comes solely from a small buyer commission, agreed upon at the offer stage. With lower overheads than traditional models, we focus on delivering maximum returns for our clients.
Our private sales model is tailored for high-value prints typically priced above £10,000. For works below this threshold, we offer free market advice and can recommend alternative trusted channels.
Advisory and Recommendations
When a work falls outside our active collector base - whether due to medium, condition, or market fit - we collaborate with vetted partners to ensure the best route to sale. This personalised advisory service is offered at no cost and is designed to maximise exposure while aligning with each artwork’s unique attributes.
Every recommendation is made case-by-case, drawing on our market expertise to ensure your work reaches the most suitable audience for optimal results.
Why Sell Your Hockney With MyArtBroker?
A Dedicated Expert
At MyArtBroker, we offer a more personalised and focused alternative to traditional auction houses. Our dedicated sales experts guide you through every step of the process, connecting you directly with buyers via our online Trading Floor. As the world’s largest platform for prints and multiples, we combine market expertise with tailored support to ensure your artwork reaches the right collector and achieves fair market value.
Minimise Risk
We prioritise transparency and due diligence to give you complete confidence in the sale of your work. Every piece is carefully vetted for provenance and authenticity, using both our in-house expertise and trusted external partners. By facilitating private sales, we also help you avoid the uncertainty of public auctions - including unsold lots and timing pressures - offering faster liquidity and greater control over pricing and exposure.
0% Seller's Fees, 100% Of The Time
We specialise in sourcing and selling rare and sought-after prints, offering complimentary valuations and zero seller’s fees - a clear advantage over auction houses and traditional dealers. Our lean digital model enables us to focus on precision marketing, targeted outreach, and innovation, all designed to maximise the return on your sale.
Our Network
Achieving the best price is about more than timing - it’s about reaching the right audience. Whether you’re selling a Hockney or another blue chip print, working with a platform that specialises in editioned works ensures your artwork is seen by the collectors who value it most.
Our live Trading Floor connects over 30,000 active collectors, transforming how art is bought and sold in the digital era. With real-time data, global reach, and a transparent process, we offer a smarter, faster, and more secure way to transact. Our community-driven model puts sellers in direct contact with serious buyers - making each sale more efficient, and more rewarding.
Hockney Collection Management With MyPortfolio
MyArtBroker’s MyPortfolio is a powerful tool for managing and valuing your print collection in real time. Backed by our proprietary algorithm, SingularityX, it draws on over 50,000 auction results and private sales to deliver up-to-date valuations tailored to individual works - factoring in condition, colourway, and market demand. As discussed in our 2025 Market Report, this level of detail is increasingly essential as the art market grows more data-driven and selective, particularly in a climate where liquidity and timing matter.
Advanced tools like MyPortfolio allow collectors to track the performance of artists such as David Hockney - whose market shows strength in highly liquid editions. With easy access to trading insights and valuations, users can act quickly when opportunities arise, avoiding auction season bottlenecks and ensuring better outcomes.
Explore available Hockney prints on the Trading Floor or read the full Hockney Investment Guide to see how data is shaping smarter decisions in the print market.
