Name: The Haunted Castle
Brand: David Hockney
Rating: 5 (236 reviews)

Track auction value trend

The value of David Hockney’s The Haunted Castle (signed) is estimated to be worth between £3,200 and £4,800. This intaglio print, created in 1969, has shown consistent value growth, with an average annual growth rate of 6%. This work has an auction history of seven total sales since its initial sale in March 2007. The hammer price in the last 12 months has ranged from £2,200 in May 2024 to £4,000 in December 2024, and the average return to the seller over the past five years has been £2,635. The edition size of this artwork is limited to 100.

Meaning & Analysis

Before embarking on his year-long project of illustrating Six Fairy Tales From The Brothers Grimm, David Hockney took a trip down the Rhine as research. Here he encountered the stretches of fields and rolling hills that make their way into his prints, as well as the iconic castles of the Rhine valley. He took many photographs and made many drawings which eventually became key touchpoints for his etchings. With the present work, The Haunted Castle, we can see the characteristics of the classic German castle, with its high turret, pointed spires and narrow windows. Shaded grey against a dark background of cross hatched marks the building is filled with the foreboding suggested by the title. It sits alone on a fuzzy mound, adding to the sense of isolation in the image. The scene is taken from the story known as 'The Boy who left Home to learn Fear', where, in what is now a cliche of the horror and cartoon genre, a boy spends three nights in a haunted castle in order to win a prize – in this case the hand of the king’s daughter and all the riches in the castle – as well as learning fear. He survives with reason intact however and while he wins the princess, he still does not know true fear.

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.