The Princess In Her Tower
The Princess In Her Tower
Signed Print
David Hockney
£4,400-£6,500
$8,500-$13,000 Value Indicator
$7,500-$11,500 Value Indicator
¥40,000-¥60,000 Value Indicator
€5,000-€7,500 Value Indicator
$40,000-$60,000 Value Indicator
¥840,000-¥1,240,000 Value Indicator
$5,500-$8,000 Value Indicator
AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
There aren't enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.
Medium: Etching
Edition size: 100
Year: 1969
Size: H 45cm x W 32cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | Forum Auctions London | United Kingdom | |||
| June 2019 | Forum Auctions London | United Kingdom | |||
| June 2018 | Germann Auctions | Switzerland | |||
| May 2016 | Wright | United States | |||
| July 2015 | Christie's New York | United States | |||
| December 2010 | Christie's London | United Kingdom |
Meaning & Analysis
The Princess In Her Tower is a 1969 etching by David Hockney, depicting a solitary princess in a tower who appears abnormally large in comparison to her surroundings. Part of Hockney's Illustrations For Six Fairy Tales From The Brothers Grimm series, this limited edition of 100 prints is executed on Hodgkinson handmade paper. The artwork showcases Hockney's exploration of narrative through visual art, rendered with fine, precise lines.
The Princess In Her Tower exemplifies Hockney's skill in combining storytelling and printmaking. The etching portrays a princess isolated in a tower, a common motif in fairy tales, which Hockney reimagines with meticulous detail. The artwork's composition emphasises the figure's solitude through stark contrasts created by fine lines and careful shading.
This print is based on The Little Sea Hare, one of the lesser-known Grimm's fairy tales. Hockney's interpretation focuses on the princess's confinement, reflecting themes of isolation and longing present in the original story. The artist's choice to depict this particular moment in the narrative demonstrates his interest in exploring complex emotions through seemingly simple scenes.
Within the Six Fairy Tales series, The Princess In Her Tower stands out for its detailed architectural elements and the subtle expression of the central figure. This attention to detail reflects Hockney's broader interest in spatial representation and human emotion, themes he continued to explore throughout his career in various mediums.
