A Tune
A Tune
Signed Print
David Hockney
£1,800-£2,700Value Indicator
$3,750-$5,500 Value Indicator
$3,300-$4,950 Value Indicator
¥17,000-¥26,000 Value Indicator
€2,100-€3,150 Value Indicator
$19,000-$28,000 Value Indicator
¥340,000-¥510,000 Value Indicator
$2,400-$3,600 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: 200
Year: 1977
Size: H 35cm x W 43cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
Track this artwork in realtime
Watch artwork, manage valuations, track your portfolio and return against your collection
Track auction value trend
Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2024 | Bonhams Los Angeles | United States | |||
| June 2024 | Rago | United States | |||
| November 2020 | Swann Galleries | United States | |||
| June 2020 | Swann Galleries | United States | |||
| April 2018 | Forum Auctions London | United Kingdom | |||
| May 2017 | Palm Beach Modern Auctions | United States | |||
| March 2017 | Forum Auctions London | United Kingdom |
Meaning & Analysis
Composed of many disparate and often surreal elements, A Tune is a classic etching from David Hockney’s The Blue Guitar series in which the artist chose not to illustrate the poems of the same name by Wallace Stevens but instead present works that were “an interpretation of its themes in visual terms. Like the poem, they are about transformations within art as well as the relation between reality and the imagination, so these are pictures and different styles of representation juxtaposed and reflected and dissolved within the same frame”. In this particular etching we find a glass cabinet or table, with strange objects or sculptures arranged on top, which moves away from the traditional still life genre in Hockney’s oeuvre. To the left of the table a fissure appears in space, revealing a brick wall, although this could equally be read as a thin volcano. Further left still, a metal tower topped with mountains and clouds frames the scene. Here Hockney appears to be deliberately playful, experimenting with his new found technique of introducing more than one colour into the etching process to create fantastical scenes that are not constricted by subject matter or themes.
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.
