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They said, “You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are.”
The man replied, “Things as they are
Are changed upon the blue guitar.”
And they said then, “But play, you must,
A tune beyond us, yet ourselves,A tune upon the blue guitar
Of things exactly as they are.”Wallace Stevens’ 1936 Modernist poem The Man with the Blue Guitar was inspired by Pablo Picasso’s Old Guitarist (1903-04) and explores the role of imagination in shaping reality. Taking the epochal image from Picasso’s Blue Period, Stevens transforms the blue man with a guitar, to the blue guitar – a symbol of the imagination - which appears capable of transforming objects and meaning. “Things as they are / Are changed upon the blue guitar” despite apparent demand to play, paint or otherwise depict “things exactly as they are.”
Left: Pablo Picasso, The Old Guitarist, 1903-04. Image: © Art Institute of Chicago / Bridgeman Images, Artwork: © Succession Picasso / DACS, London 2022.
Right: David Hockney, The Old Guitarist, plate 2 from The Blue Guitar, 1976-77.Forty years later, in the summer of 1976, David Hockney was holidaying in Fire Island, New York with the writer Christopher Isherwood and the curator Henry Geldzahler, who introduced Hockney to The Man with the Blue Guitar. No stranger to the compelling influence of Picasso, David Hockney was immediately taken with Stevens’ poetic interpretation of his melancholic portrait.
'When I first read The Man with the Blue Guitar, I wasn’t sure what it was about, like all poems like that, but I loved the rhythms in it and some of the imagery, just the choice of words is marvellous. Then, when I read it out loud, I loved it even more, because I got the music that it has'
—David HockneyHockney had first incorporated fragments of poetry in his 1961 painting, We Two Boys Clinging Together, which integrated two lines from a Walt Whitman poem of the same title. But Stevens’ book-length poem encouraged a much greater creative output from Hockney, who embarked upon an extensive series of twenty etchings, The Blue Guitar: Etchings by David Hockney, who was inspired by Wallace Stevens, who was inspired by Pablo Picasso.
Not literal illustrations of Stevens’ poem, Hockney’s etchings nonetheless convey similar ideas about transformations within art as well as the relation between reality and the imagination. An ardent admirer of Picasso, Hockney also used his interpretations of Stevens’ text to pay technical homage to the great Cubist master. Having worked extensively in the early 1970’s under the tutelage of Aldo Crommelynck in Paris (with whom Picasso had made prints during the final two decades of his life), Hockney learned how to emulate Picasso's etching technique and to use a single plate for multi-coloured etchings, rather than having to register separate plates for each colour, which proved essential to the genesis of his Blue Guitar prints.
Left: David Hockney, Figures with Still Life, plate 10 from The Blue Guitar, 1976-1977.
Right: David Hockney, Artist and Model, 1973-74. Artwork: © David Hockney.Individual plates are populated with a multitude of references to Picasso’s work including imagery of guitars, still lives, stage sets and distorted perspectives. Figures with Still Life recreates a Cubist scene and echoes Hockney’s earlier etched homage to Picasso, Artist and Model, 1973-74 in which he sits opposite and in visual dialogue with his venerated predecessor. But the final plate, What is this Picasso? provides the most overt reference to Picasso, including his 1937 Portrait of Dora Maar, his muse and lover. The layers of influence continue in perpetuity: Etchings by David Hockney, who was inspired by Wallace Stevens, who was inspired by Pablo Picasso, who was inspired by Dora Maar? Afterall, as Hockney says, “good artists don’t borrow, they steal”.
Left: David Hockney, What Is This Picasso?, plate 20 from The Blue Guitar, 1976-77.
Right: Pablo Picasso, Portrait of Dora Maar, 1937. Image: Bridgeman Images, Artwork: © Succession Picasso / DACS, London 2022.Provenance
Gallery Embryo, Leuven, Belgium, 1979
Then by descent to the present ownerLiterature
Scottish Arts Council 199-218
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo 178-197Catalogue Essay
Including The Blue Guitar; The Old Guitarist; A Tune; It Picks It's Way; Franco-American Mail; Parade; Discord Merely Magnifies; The Buzzing of the Blue Guitar; In a Chiaroscuro; Figures with Still Life; Made in April; A Picture of Ourselves; The Poet; Etching is the Subject; Tick It, Tock It, Turn It True; I Say They Are; On It May Stay His Eye; A Moving Still Life; Serenade; and What Is This Picasso?
Artist Biography
David Hockney
David Hockney (b. 1937) is one of the most well-known and celebrated artists of the
20th and 21st centuries. He works across many mediums, including painting, collage,
and more recently digitally, by creating print series on iPads. His works show semi-
abstract representations of domestic life, human relationships, floral, fauna, and the
changing of seasons.
Hockney has exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Royal
Academy of Arts in London, and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, among many
other institutions. On the secondary market, his work has sold for more than $90
million.
Property from a Private Belgian Collector
16
The Blue Guitar (S.A.C. 199-218, M.C.A.T 178-197)
1976-77
The complete set of 20 etching and aquatints in colours, on Inveresk mould-made paper, with full margins, with table of contents and colophon, the sheets loose (as issued) all contained in the original beige leather-covered portfolio with embossed title.
all I. approx. 34.5 x 42.4 cm (13 5/8 x 16 3/4 in.)
all S. approx. 45.8 x 52.6 cm (18 x 20 3/4 in.), eight vertical
portfolio 55.5 x 48.3 x 4 cm (21 7/8 x 19 x 1 5/8 in.)
All signed and numbered 167/200 in pencil (there were also 35 artist's proofs in Roman numerals), published by Petersburg Press, London and New York, all unframed.
Estimate
£30,000 - 50,000 ‡♠
Sold for £52,920
Robert Kennan
Head of Editions, Europe Editions
T +44 20 7318 4075
M +44 7824 994 784
rkennan@phillips.com
Rebecca Tooby-Desmond
Specialist, Head of Sale, Editions
T +44 207 318 4079
M +44 7502 417366
rtooby-desmond@phillips.com
Anne Schneider-Wilson
Senior International Specialist, Editions
T +44 207 318 4042
M +44 7760 864 748
aschneider-wilson@phillips.com
David Hockney
London Auction 13 September 2022
1
David Hockney
towards art? The contribution of the RCA to the Fine Arts 1952-62
Estimate £1,000 - 1,500 ♠
Sold for £1,386
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2
David Hockney
Gretchen and the Snurl (E.A. 429, S.A.C. 9, M.C.A.T. 9)
Estimate £2,500 - 3,500 ♠
Sold for £5,670
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3
David Hockney
Rumpelstilzchen (S.A.C. 103-108, M.C.A.T. 100-105)
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ♠
Sold for £2,016
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4
David Hockney
Corbusier Chair and Rug
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ♠
Sold for £6,930
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5
David Hockney
French Shop (S.A.C. 122, M.C.A.T. 112)
Estimate £8,000 - 12,000 ♠
Sold for £11,340
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6
David Hockney
An Etching and a Lithograph for Editions Alecto (E.A. 474, S.A.C. 129, M.C.A.T. 121)
Estimate £3,000 - 5,000 ♠
Sold for £4,410
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7
David Hockney
He Enquired after the Quality, plate 3 from Illustrations for 14 Poems by C.P. Cavafy (E. A. 460, S.A.C. 49, M.C.A.T. 49)
Estimate £3,000 - 5,000 ♠
Sold for £4,410
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8
David Hockney
The Beginning, plate 9 from Illustrations for 14 Poems by C.P. Cavafy (E.A. 466, S.A.C. 55, M.C.A.T. 55)
Estimate £3,000 - 5,000 ♠
Sold for £8,820
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9
David Hockney
An Imaginary Landscape (S.A.C. 67)
Estimate £2,000 - 3,000 ♠
Sold for £2,772
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10
David Hockney
Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink for Book, from Paper Pools (T.G. 269, M.C.A.T. 234)
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000 ♠
Sold for £61,740
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11
David Hockney
Lithographic Water Made of Lines (T.G. 253, M.C.A.T. 210)
Estimate £60,000 - 80,000 ‡♠
Sold for £126,000
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12
David Hockney
Afternoon Swimming (T.G. 266, M.C.A.T. 233, W.G. 87)
Estimate £250,000 - 400,000 ‡♠
Sold for £302,400
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13
David Hockney
Swimming Pool Carpet, from the Arterior Collection
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000 ♠
Sold for £10,710
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14
David Hockney
Olympische Spiele München (Olympic Games Munich)
Estimate £800 - 1,000 ♠
Sold for £5,040
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15
David Hockney
Marguerites (S.A.C. 157, M.C.A.T. 141)
Estimate £8,000 - 12,000 ‡♠
Sold for £28,980
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16
David Hockney
The Blue Guitar (S.A.C. 199-218, M.C.A.T 178-197)
Estimate £30,000 - 50,000 ‡♠
Sold for £52,920
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17
David Hockney
Two Pembroke Studio Chairs, from Moving Focus (T.G. 276, M.C.A.T. 264)
Estimate £7,000 - 10,000 ‡♠
Sold for £27,720
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18
David Hockney
Conversation in the Studio, from Moving Focus (T.G. 271, M.C.A.T. 260)
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000 ‡♠
Sold for £52,920
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19
David Hockney
Tyler Dining Room, from Moving Focus (T.G. 278, M.C.A.T. 261)
Estimate £40,000 - 60,000 ‡♠
Sold for £113,400
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20
David Hockney
Van Gogh Chair (White)
Estimate £40,000 - 60,000 ♠
Sold for £100,800
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21
David Hockney
Two Red Chairs and Table, March 1986 (M.C.A.T. 316)
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000 ‡♠
Sold for £30,240
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22
David Hockney
A Bigger Book, Art Edition A-D
Estimate £80,000 - 120,000 ♠
Sold for £226,800
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23
David Hockney
My Window: No. 535 28th June 2009; No. 281 23rd July 2010; No. 610, 23rd December 2010; and No. 778, 17th April 2011
Estimate £60,000 - 80,000 ♠
Sold for £170,100
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24
David Hockney
Untitled (224) (Striped Mug)
Estimate £50,000 - 70,000 ‡♠
Sold for £113,400
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25
David Hockney
Untitled No. 1, from The Yosemite Suite
Estimate £50,000 - 70,000 ‡♠
Sold for £126,000
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26
David Hockney
The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 (twenty eleven) - 30 May
Estimate £120,000 - 180,000 ‡♠
Sold for £340,200
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27
David Hockney
The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 (twenty eleven) - 19 February
Estimate £100,000 - 150,000 ‡♠
Sold for £315,000
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28
David Hockney
A Bigger Fire, from My Normandy
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000 ‡♠
Sold for £60,480
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29
David Hockney
No Fire, from My Normandy
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000 ‡♠
Sold for £22,680
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30
David Hockney
Untitled (577) (Two Robes)
Estimate £50,000 - 70,000 ‡♠
Sold for £119,700
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31
David Hockney
A Bigger Book, Art Edition A
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000 ‡♠
Sold for £44,100
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32
David Hockney
A Bigger Book, Art Edition D
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000 ‡♠
Sold for £49,140
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33
David Hockney
My Window: No. 535, 28th June 2009
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000 ♠
Sold for £50,400
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34
David Hockney
My Window: No. 778, 17th April 2011
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000 ♠
Sold for £69,300
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35
David Hockney
My Window: No. 281, 23rd July 2010
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000 ♠
Sold for £50,400
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36
David Hockney
The Old Guitarist, plate 2 from The Blue Guitar (S.A.C. 200, M.C.A.T. 179)
Estimate £2,000 - 3,000 ‡♠
Sold for £8,190
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37
David Hockney
Franco-American Mail, plate 5 from The Blue Guitar (S.A.C. 203, M.C.A.T. 182)
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ‡♠
Sold for £4,032
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38
David Hockney
In a Chiaroscuro, plate 9 from The Blue Guitar (S.A.C 207, M.C.A.T. 186)
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ‡♠
Sold for £4,788
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39
David Hockney
Figures with Still Life, plate 10 from The Blue Guitar (S.A.C. 208, M.C.A.T. 187)
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ‡♠
Sold for £3,024
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40
David Hockney
A Picture of Ourselves, plate 12 from The Blue Guitar (S.A.C. 210, M.C.A.T. 189)
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ‡♠
Sold for £5,292
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41
David Hockney
The Poet, plate 13 from The Blue Guitar (S.A.C. 211, M.C.A.T. 190)
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ‡♠
Sold for £4,032
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42
David Hockney
Etching is the Subject, plate 14 from The Blue Guitar (S.A.C. 212, M.C.A.T. 191)
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ‡♠
Sold for £4,410
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43
David Hockney
Tick It, Tock It, Turn It True, plate 15 from The Blue Guitar (S.A.C. 213, M.C.A.T. 192)
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ‡♠
Sold for £5,040
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44
David Hockney
I Say They Are, plate 16 from The Blue Guitar (S.A.C 214, M.C.A.T. 193)
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ‡♠
Sold for £4,410
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45
David Hockney
Serenade, plate 19 from The Blue Guitar (S.A.C. 217, M.C.A.T. 196)
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ‡♠
Sold for £5,292
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46
David Hockney
What is This Picasso?, plate 20 from The Blue Guitar (S.A.C. 218, M.C.A.T. 197)
Estimate £2,000 - 3,000 ‡♠
Sold for £11,970
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47
David Hockney
Celia Making Tea, New York, Dec
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000 ‡♠
Sold for £30,240
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48
David Hockney
Celia Smoking (Gemini G.E.L. 449, S.A.C. 146, M.C.A.T. 136)
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000 ♠
Sold for £11,970
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49
David Hockney
Celia Looks (Gemini G.E.L. 1650, M.C.A.T. 247)
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000 ♠
Sold for £16,380
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50
David Hockney
Celia in a Wicker Chair (M.C.A.T. 158)
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000 ‡♠
Sold for £32,760
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51
David Hockney
Maurice Payne (S.A.C. 123, M.C.A.T. 115)
Estimate £3,500 - 4,500 ♠
Sold for £5,040
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52
David Hockney
Ian & Heinz, July 1986 (M.C.A.T. 292)
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000 ♠
Sold for £37,800
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53
David Hockney
Self-Portrait, July 1986 (M.C.A.T. 295)
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000 ♠
Sold for £52,920
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54
David Hockney
Celia with Chair (M.C.A.T. 306)
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000 ♠
Sold for £11,340
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55
David Hockney
Rudolf Nureyev
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000 ♠
Sold for £18,900
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56
David Hockney
Kasmin Reading. Carennac. August 1970
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000 ‡♠
Sold for £52,920
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57
David Hockney
Portrait of Quentin Crisp (Life Drawing at RCA)
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000 ♠†
Sold for £17,640
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58
David Hockney
Ann Combing Her Hair (Gemini G.E.L. 830, M.C.A.T. 215)
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000 ♠
Sold for £10,710
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59
David Hockney
Ann Putting on Lipstick (Gemini G.E.L. 829, M.C.A.T. 217)
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000 ♠
Sold for £4,410
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60
David Hockney
Gregory Evans, from Friends (Gemini G.E.L. 712, M.C.A.T. 165)
Estimate £3,000 - 5,000 ‡♠
Sold for £4,032
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61
David Hockney
Wuxi 43-16
Estimate £1,000 - 1,500 ‡♠
Sold for £4,788
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62
David Hockney
Bridlington
Estimate £2,000 - 3,000 ♠
Sold for £2,520
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63
David Hockney
The Master Printer of Los Angeles (Gemini G.E.L. 451, S.A.C. 149, M.C.A.T. 139)
Estimate £2,500 - 3,500 ♠
Sold for £6,300
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64
David Hockney
The Master Printer of Los Angeles
Estimate £4,000 - 6,000 ♠
Sold for £2,394
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65
David Hockney
Office Chair (M.C.A.T. 320)
Estimate £12,000 - 18,000 ‡♠
Sold for £32,760
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66
David Hockney
Man Reading Stendhal, July 1986 (M.C.A.T. 302)
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000 ‡♠
Sold for £15,120
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67
David Hockney
Still Life with Curtains, March 1986 (M.C.A.T. 289)
Estimate £7,000 - 9,000 ‡♠
Sold for £16,380
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68
David Hockney
Bowl of Fruit, April 1986 (M.C.A.T. 299)
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000 ‡♠
Sold for £16,380
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69
David Hockney
Apples, Pears & Grapes, May 1986 (M.C.A.T. 291)
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000 ‡♠
Sold for £16,380
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70
David Hockney
Extending, February 1990
Estimate £8,000 - 12,000 ♠
Sold for £20,160
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71
David Hockney
Grey Blooms, May 1986 (M.C.A.T. 305)
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000 ‡♠
Sold for £20,160
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72
David Hockney
Red Flowers and Green Leaves, Separate, May
Estimate £7,000 - 9,000 ‡♠
Sold for £27,720
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73
David Hockney
Pushing Up, from Some More New Prints (Gemini G.E.L. 1622, M.C.A.T. 340)
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000 ♠
Sold for £18,900
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74
David Hockney
Above and Beyond, from Some More New Prints (Gemini G.E.L. 1625, M.C.A.T. 339)
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000 ♠
Sold for £39,060
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75
David Hockney
China Diary (M.C.A.T. 254)
Estimate £2,000 - 3,000 ♠
Sold for £6,300
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76No Reserve
David Hockney
My Window
Estimate £400 - 600 •♠
Sold for £1,890
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77No Reserve
David Hockney
Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman Without a Shadow)
Estimate £600 - 800 •♠
Sold for £567
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78
David Hockney
Hockney’s Alphabet
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 ♠
Sold for £5,040
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