Fish and Chip Shop
Medium: Lithograph in colors on cartridge paper (backed to Japan)
Year: 1954
Sheet: 16 3/8 x 14 1/4 inches (41.6 x 36.1 cm)
Edition: 5 known impressions
Printer: The Artist, Bradford
Literature: Scottish Arts Council (3), Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (3)
Some were initialed
David Hockney’s Fish and Chip Shop (1954) was produced when Hockney was just 17 years old and studying at the Bradford School of Art. Offering a rare insight into the early stages of the artist’s career, the present lot portrays the owners Hayden and Janet Smith behind the counter of their fish and chip shop in Eccleshill, Bradford. Echoing Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks (1942), Hockney depicts himself in the far right leaning against the counter while observing the couple. The Smith’s shop was located just around the corner from where Hockney lived whilst at art school and he would visit regularly in the hope of securing some leftover fish and chips. As a gesture of his gratitude, the artist gifted the couple with one of the handful of Fish and Chip Shop prints he made. The proprietors proudly displayed it above the fryers until the establishment’s closure in 1970. This print provides a tender insight into the artist’s formative years and stands as one of the earliest and most rare prints produced by the artist.
Hockney enrolled at the Bradford School of art in 1953, aged 16, and he was overjoyed to leave grammar school to study art.
“It was thrilling, to be at a school where I knew I would enjoy everything they asked me to do. I loved it all and I used to spend twelve hours a day in the art school.”
The school emphasized the importance of observational drawing and traditional study of perspective, anatomy and tonal values. Despite his young age, Hockney’s adept understanding of draughtsmanship, color and composition is evident in the prints he made at this time. From this early point, Hockney began harnessing the potentials of graphic techniques – a practice he has consistently upheld throughout his career.
Auction Results
Christie’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 18,900 / USD 25,326
DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Fish and Chip Shop (MCAT 3), 1954
Lithograph printed in black and greenish-yellow on wove paper
Inscribed from David Hockney in pencil
One of approximately five impressions (only some were signed)
Sotheby’s London: 15 November 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 21,590 / USD 26,835
DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Fish and Chip Shop (Scottish Arts Council, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo 3), 1954
The rare, early lithograph printed in colors on cartridge paper
One of only approximately five proofs, printed by the artist, there was no published edition
Phillips London: 21 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 57,150 / USD 70,790
DAVID HOCKNEY
Fish and Chip Shop (S.A.C. 3, M.C.A.T. 3), 1954
Lithograph in colors on cartridge paper (backed to Japan) trimmed to the image at all four edges
One of approximately 5 proofs of which only some were initialed
Christie’s London: 29 March 2017
Estimated: GBP 6,000 – 8,000
GBP 18,750 / USD 23,260
DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Fish and Chip Shop, 1954
Lithograph in colors on Abbey Mill Greenfield wove paper
Signed and dated in brown ink
One of approximately six impressions (only some were signed)
The present impression of Hockney’s Fish and Chip Shop was gifted by the artist to the proprietors of his local chippy The Sea Catch, Eccleshill, while Hockney was studying at the Bradford School of Art. This evocative work depicts the owners Hayden and Janet Smith behind the counter of their fish and chip shop, with Hockney leaning against the counter in conversation. Whilst studying at art school, Hockney would visit late in the evening for any fish and chips that were available and as a token of appreciation the artist presented the couple with the Fish and Chip Shop in 1954. The print was displayed in the shop above the fryers for many years and then passed down through the family of the original owners.
Christie’s London: 17 September 2015
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 15,000 / USD 23,265
DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Fish and Chip Shop, 1954
Lithograph in color on Abbey Mill Greenfield paper
One of approximately five impressions (some were initialed)
Christie’s London: 17 February 2012
Estimated: GBP 7,000 – 9,000
GBP 20,000 / USD 31,630
DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Fish and Chip Shop (S.A.C. 3; Tokyo 3), 1954
Lithograph in colors on Abbey Mill Greenfield
Signed with initials in pencil
One of approximately five impressions (only some were intialed)