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

Track auction value trend

The value of David Hockney’s The Lake (signed) is estimated to be worth between £3,800 and £5,500. This etching print, created in 1969, has shown consistent value growth, with an average annual growth rate of 4%. This work has an auction history of seven total sales since its entry to the market in June 2000. The sales in the last 12 months have shown an average return to the seller of £3,591, with the total sales volume being 1. Over the past five years, the hammer price has ranged from £2,585 in October 2022 to £3,591 in June 2025. The edition size of this artwork is limited to 100.

Meaning & Analysis

Stretching across the composition as an absence of ink, a lake is bordered by steep dark mountains. Before embarking on making the prints for his series Illustrations For Six Fairy Tales From The Brothers Grimm, David Hockney travelled down the Rhine to see the countryside from which many of the classic fairy tales originated. Here we are shown a typical German landscape that the artist has incorporated into his illustrations for the fable entitled ‘Fundevogel’, or Foundling Bird. Here he has left out the characters of the story, a girl and her foundling brother who hide from a cruel cook who wishes to cook the boy in a large pot, by turning themselves into a pond and a duck. Here the pond has become a lake and the focus is on the majesty of the natural elements rather than the plot of the story. Along with Fundevogel, Hockney also illustrated such classic tales as Rumpelstiltskin and Old RinkRank, choosing etching to convey his natural illustrative drawing style in this series of prints. Published in an edition of 100 in 1969 they also became a book which has become a bestseller.

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.