Introduction
Hockney has been inspired by Birtwell for over half a century, capturing the myriads of her likeness and personality over time. In this lithograph, Birtwell’s facial features are gently accentuated, partially obscured by the cascading curls of her hair. Her skin is paper-white, but Hockney adds vibrancy to his sitter by skillfully rendering her piercing blue eyes. Boldly outlined, they stare directly out at the viewer in a compelling and engaging manner. Nonetheless, it is Celia’s boldly patterned and brightly colored dress that takes center stage in this lithograph. Rather than aiming to exactly replicate his model’s likeness, Hockney instead seeks to portray other characteristics which more aptly capture the essence of his sitter. In this instance, he focuses on her love of pattern, for which Celia Birtwell is most well-known.
“I always try to dress up for him”
Like Hockney, Birtwell was born in the North of England, and she moved to London to pursue her creative passions. She married Raymond ‘Ossie’ Clark, a fashion designer, in 1969 with David Hockney in attendance as Ossie’s best man. Birtwell had studied textile design, and she collaborated with Clark on many projects. Through their patterned silks and chiffons, they helped define the aesthetic of the Swinging Sixties. In Celia in a Wicker Chair, Hockney uses her vibrant dress as a device through which to convey her personality, creativity, and occupation.
Source: Phillips
Celia Lithographic Portraits, 1979
NOTE: THIS IS NOT REFERENCED AS A SERIES IN CATALOGUE RAISONNES
1. Celia Weary (MCAT 221)
2. Celia Amused (MCAT 222)
3. Celia Inquiring (MCAT 223)
4. Celia Elegant (MCAT 224)
5. Celia Reclining (MCAT 225)
Celia Weary (MCAT 221)
Celia Weary
Medium: Lithograph on Japanese Toyoshi 80 paper
Year: 1979
Sheet: 40×29 inches (101.6 x 73.7 cm)
Edition: 100
Artist’s Proofs: 16 AP (Numbered in Roman numerals)
Publisher: Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles
Literature: Gemini (833), Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (221)
Signed, dated, and numbered in blue pencil
Auction Results
Estimated: EUR 5,000 – 7,000
EUR 12,800 / USD 13,515
Lithograph on Japan paper
Signed, dated and numbered 12/100
Estimated: USD 6,000 – 8,000
Celia – Weary, 1979
Lithograph
Signed, dated, and numbered 46/100 in green pencil
Celia Amused (MCAT 222)
Celia Amused
Medium: Lithograph on Toyoshi 80 paper
Year: 1979
Sheet: 40×29 inches (101.6 x 73.7 cm)
Edition: 100
Artist’s Proofs: 14 AP (Numbered in Roman numerals)
Publisher: Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles
Literature: Gemini (834), Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (222)
Signed, dated, and numbered in blue pencil
Auction Results
The Evelyn D. Farland Collection
Doyle New-York: 19 November 2025
Estimated: USD 4,000 – 6,000
USD 9,600
DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
CELIA AMUSED (M.C.A.T. 222; GEMINI 834), 1979
Lithograph on Toyoshi paper
Signed, dated and numbered 41/100 in red pencil
Published by Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, and with their blindstamps
Christie’s London: 25 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 6,000 – 8,000
GBP 9,525 / USD 12,815
DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Celia Amused (Tokyo 222; Gemini 834), 1979
Lithograph on Japanese Toyoshi paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered 80/100 in red pencil
(there were also 14 artist’s proofs)
Phillips New-York: 21 September 2022
Estimated: USD 6,000 – 8,000
USD 6,300
DAVID HOCKNEY
Celia Amused, 1979
Lithograph, on Japanese Toyoshi paper
Signed, dated, numbered 33/100 in blue pencil
Celia Inquiring (MCAT 223)
Celia Inquiring
Medium: Lithograph on Japanese Toyoshi 80 paper
Year: 1979
Sheet: 40 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches (102.9 x 74.9 cm)
Edition: 78
Artist’s Proofs: XIV AP
Publisher: Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles
Literature: Gemini (835), Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (223)
Signed, dated, and numbered in blue pencil
Auction Results
Christie’s New-York: 23 October 2025
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 11,430
DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Celia Inquiring (MCAT 223; Gemini 835), 1979
Lithograph, on Japanese Toyoshi paper
Signed and dated in blue pencil, numbered 8⁄78
(there were also fourteen artist’s proofs)
Heritage Auctions: 10 December 2024
Estimated: USD 4,000 – 6,000
USD 7,500
DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Celia – Inquiring, 1979
Lithograph on wove paper
P.P. II (aside from an edition of 78)
Signed, editioned, and dated in blue pencil lower right; publisher’s chop mark lower left
Phillips New-York: 19 October 2021
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 27,720
DAVID HOCKNEY
Celia Inquiring (G. 835, M.C.A.T. 223), 1979
Lithograph on Japanese Toyoshi 80 paper
Signed, dated and numbered ‘A.P. X/XIV’ in blue pencil
An artist’s proof, aside from the edition of 78
Celia Elegant (MCAT 224)
Celia Elegant
Medium: Lithograph on Toyoshi 80 paper
Year: 1979
Sheet: 40 1/4 x 29 inches (102.2 x 73.7 cm)
Edition: 100
Artist’s Proofs: 16 AP (numbered in Roman numerals)
Publisher: Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles
Literature: Gemini (836), Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (224)
Signed, dated, and numbered in green pencil
Auction Results
Estimated: EUR 5,000 – 7,000
EUR 14,080 / USD 14,870
Lithograph on Japan paper
Signed, dated and numbered ‘AP XIV/XVI’
Bonhams Los Angeles: 28 September 2021
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 10,200
Lithograph on Toyoshi 80 paper
Signed in green pencil, dated and numbered 27/100
Celia Reclining (MCAT 225)
Celia Reclining
Medium: Lithograph on Twinrocker paper
Year: 1979
Sheet: 22 3/4 x 21 7/8 inches (57.8 x 55.6 cm)
Edition: 100
Artist’s Proofs: 16 AP (numbered in Roman numerals)
Publisher: Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles
Literature: Gemini (838), Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (225)
Signed, dated, and numbered in green pencil
Auction Results
The Evelyn D. Farland Collection
Doyle New-York: 19 November 2025
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 5,000
USD 6,080
DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
CELIA RECLINING (M.C.A.T. 225; GEMINI G.E.L. 838), 1979
Lithograph on handmade Twinrocker paper
Signed, dated and numbered 41/100 in pencil
Printed and published by Gemini G.E.L, Los Angeles, and with blindstamps and ink stamp (verso)
Heritage Auctions: 10 December 2024
Estimated: USD 2,000 – 3,000
USD 3,750
DAVID HOCKENY (b. 1937)
Celia Reclining, 1979
Lithograph on handmade paper
Editioned 95/100 (aside from 16 artist’s proofs)
Signed, editioned, and dated in pencil lower right