David Hockney Artwork Value | Prints, Prices, How to Sell

At-a-glance: David Hockney

One of the most celebrated living artists, Hockney has worked across painting, printmaking, photography, and digital media for over six decades. His market spans affordable exhibition posters to paintings that have sold for over $90 million at auction.

Bio

Name: David Hockney OM CH RA
Years Active: 1950s–present
Nationality: British (born Bradford, 1937)

Style

Pop Art, California swimming pools, double portraits, landscapes, opera set design. Constant reinvention from etchings to Polaroid collages to iPad drawings.

What to look for

Pencil signature lower right, edition number lower left, printer's blindstamps (Tyler Graphics, Gemini G.E.L., Crommelynck), Hockney blind stamp on iPad prints.

What Hockney works do people actually own?

Most Hockney works in private hands aren't pool paintings or double portraits. Like Warhol and Lichtenstein, Hockney produced extensive print editions alongside major paintings — so the range of what collectors own is wide. Understanding whether you have an original print or a reproduction is the first step in determining value.

Exhibition posters — $100–$3,000
Photomechanical reproductions made for gallery and museum exhibitions. Usually unsigned and printed in large quantities. Vintage posters from major retrospectives (Tate, Met, Centre Pompidou) command premiums, especially those featuring iconic pool or landscape imagery.
Signed etchings — $3,000–$80,000+
Hockney's primary printmaking medium from the 1960s onward. Early suites like A Rake's Progress (1961–63) and the Grimm's Fairy Tales illustrations (1969) are the most sought after. Later etchings from the 1970s–80s, including portraits of friends and Parisian scenes, are more accessible at $3,000–$15,000.
Signed lithographs — $2,000–$50,000
Lithographs printed at workshops like Gemini G.E.L. and Tyler Graphics span Hockney's career. Pool-themed works and still lifes are particularly popular. Condition, edition size, and image desirability all influence pricing — getting a valuation helps pinpoint where your piece falls.
iPad and digital prints — $5,000–$1,000,000+
A growing category that includes the My Window series (editions of 120), Arrival of Spring in Woldgate (2011), and the Yosemite Suite. These signed, numbered prints bear Hockney's proprietary blind stamp. My Window works have sold for up to $90,000; Arrival of Spring prints have reached approximately $1 million (GBP 762,000 at Sotheby's, October 2025) at auction.
Photographic collages — $5,000–$60,000
Hockney's "joiners" from the 1980s — composite photographs assembled from dozens or hundreds of individual shots. Unique collages and limited-edition photographic prints from this period reflect Hockney's exploration of Cubist perspectives through the camera lens.
Original paintings and drawings — $50,000–$90,000,000+
Major paintings rarely appear on the secondary market. Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) set the record at $90.3 million in 2018. Works on paper and smaller paintings occasionally surface at $50,000–$500,000+. If you own an original Hockney painting or drawing, professional appraisal is essential.

Paintings and major works start in the mid five figures and can reach eight or nine figures for iconic pieces. Upload your piece for a specific estimate based on current market data.

How to verify Hockney authenticity

Authentication matters for Hockney, especially as the market for his prints and digital works grows. Unlike Picasso, there is no single estate body that issues certificates. Before getting a valuation, gather these details:

Check published catalogue references: Key sources include David Hockney Prints 1954–1995 (Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 1996), the Tyler Graphics Catalogue Raisonné (1987), and David Hockney Prints 1954–77 (Scottish Arts Council, 1979). A comprehensive online catalogue raisonné is expected from 2026
Examine the signature: Hockney typically signs in pencil at lower right with a fluid, legible "David Hockney" script. Edition numbers appear at lower left as fractions (e.g., 15/75). Artist's Proofs are marked "AP" with their own numbering
Look for printer's marks: Blindstamps from Tyler Graphics, Gemini G.E.L., Crommelynck, or Petersburg Press confirm where the work was printed and help verify edition details
For iPad/digital prints: Authentic pieces include Hockney's proprietary blind stamp alongside a pencil signature, date, and edition number. These are printed on specific paper stocks in controlled editions
Verify provenance: Since neither the David Hockney Foundation nor the artist's studio issues certificates of authenticity, provenance documentation is critical — original purchase receipts, gallery invoices, and auction records strengthen any claim of authenticity

Upload photos of the front, back, signature, stamps, and any documentation for a preliminary assessment.

Get Free Valuation

Hockney artwork FAQs

Start by checking the edition number, signature, and any printer's marks against known records. Key references include David Hockney Prints 1954–1995 (Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo) and the Tyler Graphics Catalogue Raisonné for works printed at Tyler Graphics. A comprehensive catalogue raisonné covering all of Hockney's work is expected online from 2026. For general guidance on distinguishing originals from reproductions, see our original vs print artwork guide.

Yes — Hockney's iPad prints have become a serious collecting category. Works from the My Window series retailed at £8,000 on release and have sold for up to £69,000 at auction. Arrival of Spring iPad prints have reached £762,000 (~$1 million) at Sotheby's in October 2025. These are signed, numbered limited editions with Hockney's blind stamp, not digital reproductions.

Early etchings from A Rake's Progress (1961–63) and illustrations from Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm (1969) are highly sought after, with prices ranging from $10,000 to $100,000+. Pool-themed prints and the Moving Focus series from the 1980s also command strong prices. Condition, edition size, and signature all significantly affect where a print falls within these ranges.

No — neither the David Hockney Foundation nor the artist's studio issues certificates of authenticity. Authentication relies on provenance documentation, comparison with published catalogue references, and consultation with specialist dealers or auction houses experienced with Hockney's work. A free appraisal from photos can help identify what you have before investing in further research.

Hockney typically signs prints in pencil in the lower right margin, with the edition number at lower left. His signature has remained relatively consistent throughout his career — a fluid, legible "David Hockney" script. Compare your signature to documented examples from the same period and medium. Our artwork valuation guide explains what experts assess beyond the signature alone.

The right venue depends on value and medium. Posters and unsigned prints under $2,000 suit online platforms or specialist print dealers. Signed etchings and lithographs valued $5,000–$50,000 do well at regional auction houses or specialist print sales at Christie's, Sotheby's, or Phillips. For pieces valued over $1,000, we can help connect you with the right channel — see our selling guide for more details.

How to sell Hockney artwork

Ready to sell your artwork? Here's the process for Hockney pieces at any value level.

1

Get a valuation

Upload photos and we'll identify your piece against published catalogue references, assess condition and authenticity markers, and provide a realistic market value range within 24–48 hours.

2

Verify authenticity if needed

For higher-value works, confirm provenance with original purchase documentation, gallery invoices, or auction records. Consult specialist dealers experienced with Hockney's prints and ensure edition details match published references.

3

Choose the right channel

Under $5K: Specialist print dealers, vetted online platforms, or regional auctions.
$5K–$50K: Major auction house print sales, established galleries with Hockney expertise.
$50K+: Sotheby's, Christie's, or Phillips evening sales; private sale through major dealers.

4

Prepare documentation

Gather provenance records, purchase receipts, and any exhibition history. For prints, document margins, condition issues, and any restoration. For iPad prints, include the original certificate or packaging. Complete documentation accelerates sales and strengthens buyer confidence.

Ready to get a free Hockney valuation?

Upload photos of your artwork — front, back, signature, and any stamps or labels — and receive a research-backed estimate with guidance on authenticity, pricing, and selling options.