In 2018, David Hockney's 'Portrait of an Artist (Pool With Two Figures)' shattered records, selling for $90,312,500 USD, according to MyArtBroker and Christie's. The record-breaking sale established Hockney's commanding presence in the market. Another notable work, 'Henry Geldzahler and Christopher Scott' (1969), fetched £37,661,248 at Christie’s London in 2019, further solidifying his market strength.
David Hockney has been a prominent artist for decades, but his market value continues to climb dramatically, rather than plateauing. Hockney's dramatically climbing market value challenges typical market expectations for established contemporary artists.
Hockney's market will likely remain robust, driven by both the scarcity of his major works and the growing accessibility of his prints, making him a stable, high-value asset in the art market.
What We Know About David Hockney's Market
Beyond the 2018 record for 'Portrait Of An Artist (Pool With Two Figures)' at $90,312,500 USD (MyArtBroker, Christie's), other major works reinforce Hockney's market dominance. 'Henry Geldzahler and Christopher Scott' (1969) fetched £37,661,248 at Christie’s London in 2019. This same painting had previously sold for £569,000 in 1992 (MyArtBroker), which showed an extraordinary appreciation. More recently, 'Nichols Canyon' (1980) commanded £30.7 million in December 2020 (MyArtBroker). These consistent multi-million-pound sales for diverse major paintings indicate a deep market for his significant works, suggesting his value is not dependent on a single 'trophy' piece but a broad demand for his oeuvre.
How David Hockney's Market Performs Beyond Major Sales
The appreciation of 'Henry Geldzahler And Christopher Scott' from £569,000 in 1992 to £37.6 million in 2019 (MyArtBroker) represents a nearly 66-fold increase over 27 years. The nearly 66-fold increase in value positions Hockney's work as a generational investment, consistently outperforming many traditional assets. The consistent outperformance challenges the notion of a plateau for established contemporary artists.
