Auction Thurs, May 1, 2025
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Louis LeB. Webre
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NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's auction of Prints & Multiples on May 1, 2025 saw competitive bidding resulting in strong prices and a sale total that surpassed expectations. This popular sale category showcases fine examples of Old Master prints, Modern European prints, American prints and works by Contemporary artists, in addition to ceramics by Pablo Picasso.
David Hockney
David Hockney (b. 1937) is celebrated for his vivid depictions of swimming pools, which became a central motif in his work after his first visit to Los Angeles in 1964. Captivated by the abundance of pools in the city’s sun-drenched landscape, Hockney saw them as symbols of American prosperity and modern leisure. His fascination with water, light and the challenge of representing their dynamic interplay led him to explore these themes across various media.
Two standout works in the auction exemplify this theme. From the Collection of a Beverly Hills Artist, Lithographic Water Made of Lines, Crayon and Blue Wash, 1978-80, sold for $121,150, and from the Estate of a Beverly Hills Family, Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink for Book, 1980, sold for $51,200, each exceeding its estimate. Created with master printmaker Kenneth Tyler, both works showcase Hockney’s technical mastery and innovative approach to printmaking. The first piece uses lines and washes to evoke rippling water, while the second, part of the Paper Pools series, captures the vibrant motion and shifting character of a backyard pool. Inspired by Tyler’s own pool, the artwork reflects a close collaboration and shared artistic vision.
"Water, the idea of drawing water, is always appealing to me... You can look on it, through it, into it, see it as volume, see it as surface...the idea of representing it has always rather fascinated me and I keep going back to it.”
—David Hockney
Another lithograph by Hockney from the Collection of a Beverly Hills Artist was Tyler Dining Room, 1984, which achieved $76,700, surpassing its $40,000–60,000 estimate. A key piece from his innovative Moving Focus series created with Kenneth Tyler, the lithograph reflects a rejection of single-point perspective. Influenced by Picasso’s Cubism, Hockney employs reverse perspective to invite the viewer into the scene, using multiple viewpoints and spatial distortions to mirror how we actually see and experience the world around us.
An etching by Hockney, According to the Prescriptions of Ancient Magicians, 1966, (lot 131) estimated at $1,000-1,500 sold for $23,040 – A World Auction Record for the Print. The work blends whimsical imagery with mythic references, showcasing his distinctive line work and surreal, narrative-driven style.
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
