Live Auction 16955Prints & Multiples
DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Lot 114 PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ENGLISH COLLECTION

DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)

An Image of Celia (Study), from: Moving Focus

Closed18 September 2019

Price Realised

GBP 7,500

Considering selling a similar item?

Discover its value with a complimentary estimate from our specialists.

More Information

How to sell

DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
An Image of Celia (Study), from: Moving Focus
lithograph in colours, 1986, on HMP handmade paper, signed and dated in pencil, numbered 6/60 (there were also 16 artist's proofs), published by Tyler Graphics, Mount Kisco, New York, with their blindstamp, the full sheet, in very good condition, framed
Image & Sheet 578 x 457 mm.

With Alan Cristea Gallery, London (their label on the backboard).

Specialist note


In 1985, Hockney was invited by the editor of French Vogue to design its December-January issue. Hockney devised this issue to be a lesson in perspective, illustrated with photo-collages inspired by cubism. Taking his cue from traditional fashion magazine covers featuring the face of a beautiful woman, Hockney painted a portrait of his friend and muse Celia Birtwell. Executed in the style of Picasso, and illustrated obliquely on the cover so that the edges of the canvas are visible, Birtwell's exaggerated features and brightly coloured green-mascara eyes and red lips fulfilled the essential function of a cover, to ensure that the magazine would stand-out on display on the Paris newsstands. One of Hockney's favourite paintings, Painted Lady was stolen in 1987 and has never resurfaced.

The Painted Lady motif appears in this lithograph, which is in turn a study for his famous An Image of Celia (see lot 112).