Name: Henry Geldzahler With Hat
Brand: David Hockney
Rating: 5 (235 reviews)

Track auction value trend

The value of David Hockney’s Henry Geldzahler With Hat (signed) is estimated to be worth between £2,900 and £4,350. This lithograph print, created in 1976, has shown consistent value growth, with an average annual growth rate of 3%. Over the past 12 months, the average selling price was £2,800, across a total of 1 sale. In the last five years, the hammer price has ranged from £2,800 in September 2024 to £6,096 in November 2023. Since its first sale in November 1993, this artwork has been sold 10 times at auction. The edition size of this artwork is limited to 96.

Auction Date

Auction House

Location

Hammer Price

Return to Seller

Buyer Paid

September 2024

Phillips London

United Kingdom

November 2023

Sotheby's Online

United Kingdom

May 2021

Uppsala Auktionskammare

Sweden

November 2020

Uppsala Auktionskammare

Sweden

October 2020

Christie's New York

United States

January 2019

Phillips London

United Kingdom

February 2018

Christie's New York

United States

Meaning & Analysis

In 1976 Hockney collaborated with master printer Kenneth Tyler of the Gemini print studio in LA to produce a portfolio of portraits of his friends. Working in lithography meant that the works have less of the immediacy of earlier etchings, however there is no less intimacy. While many of the prints feel polished and painterly this portrait of illustrious curator Henry Geldzahler – one of four in the series – is rendered in a looser style which is closer to Hockney’s quick sketches or other portraits that lie outside this series. The work also stands out in this portfolio for its lack of a fleshed out background or setting. While most of the portraits also include a still life or a detail of a chair or rug, here we are presented with Geldzahler’s figure in a closely cropped composition, with just a simple grid of tiles behind him. Despite the relative economy of line and background however, Hockney does not spare any detail in Geldzahler’s face or clothing. Our eye is immediately drawn to the curls of his beard, the flourish of his bow tie and the stripes of his shirt in this sensitive and intimate portrait.

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.