An Image Of Celia
An Image Of Celia
Signed Print
David Hockney
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AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
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Medium: Planographic print
Edition size: 40
Year: 1984
Size: H 170cm x W 122cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2019 | Christie's London | United Kingdom | |||
| April 2019 | Christie's New York | United States | |||
| January 2019 | Phillips London | United Kingdom | |||
| March 2018 | Sotheby's Online | United Kingdom | |||
| November 2013 | Sotheby's New York | United States | |||
| October 2009 | Sotheby's New York | United States | |||
| October 2009 | Christie's New York | United States |
Meaning & Analysis
One of five portraits of Hockney’s close friend and muse Celia Birtwell, An Image Of Celia shows the designer sitting in an armchair in a seemingly shifting interior. Recalling Picasso’s portraits of Dora Maar, the work employs multiple perspectives to experiment with a Cubist aesthetic. Here Celia's face has been replaced with a small canvas which bears her likeness, her features skewed and mirrored to further emphasise the link with Picasso. The background is dark making the room feel close around the chair and adding a layer of disquiet to the scene which is echoed in the large scale of the chair which, with its many planes, threatens to consume her. This seeming threat is belied however in the naturalness of her pose, her legs nonchalantly crossed, her hand calmly resting on the arm. She gazes back at us, confident and in control. As with many of the works in the Moving Focus series the print includes a range of textures and colours, from the stuffed quilted motif of the armchair to the raking light coming into the sides, demonstrating Hockney’s confidence with lithography and the bold aesthetic of the 80s coming to the fore.
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.
