An Image of Celia
From Moving Focus

Medium: Lithograph and screen-print in colors with collage on TGL handmade paper and German etching papers
With the artist’s original sculptural frame finished in white, blue and red lacquer
Year: 1984-1986
Framed: 66 7/8 x 47 7/8 inches (169.8 x 121.7 cm)
Edition: 40
Artist’s Proofs: 18 AP (numbered in Roman numerals)
Publisher: Tyler Graphics, Ltd., Mount Kisco, New York
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (277)

Signed, dated and numbered in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

 

The complex forty-two color lithograph was presented to the Tate Gallery in 1993, by Hockney. This piece was created over a period of two years, from 1984–6, and uses elements from other Celia works; the red face is the frontal view taken from Hockney’s lithograph Red Celia (1984), while the other head is from the painting which the artist produced for the December 1985 issue of the French Vogue magazine.

An Image of Celia is a cubist work, which brings together different views of Celia in a fragmented and abstract manner. This style seems particularly fitting for such a portrait, as Birtwell herself was influenced by the works of Pablo Picasso. The bold red and blue hues vibrantly blend the two bodies; in contrast, the black and white background serves to further lift the image from the paper.

The representations of Celia give an insight into the artist’s thoughts and feelings. One face is made-up and posed, exuding glamour and confidence; the other, more natural face, portrays a tenderness and sensitivity. However, both images share a distinct femininity: delicate hands, and slender crossed legs which flow down to pointed toes. An Image of Celia is a truly intimate piece of Hockney’s art.

 

 

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 Auction Results

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Christie’s New-York: 16 April 2025
Estimated: USD 70,000 – 100,000
USD 214,200
AUCTION RECORD FOR AN IMAGE OF CELIA

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
An Image of Celia, from Moving Focus (Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo 277), 1984-86
Lithograph and screenprint in colors with collage, on TGL handmade paper and German etching paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered ‘P.P. II’
A printer’s proof aside from the edition of 40 plus eighteen artist’s proofs in Roman numerals
In the original painted artist’s frame

Christie’s London: 18 September 2019
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 93,750 / USD 116,900

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
An Image of Celia, from: Moving Focus, 1984-1986
Lithograph and screen-print in colors with collage on TGL handmade paper and German etching paper Signed and dated in pencil, numbered AP XVIII/XVIII
An artist’s proof aside from the edition of forty

Christie’s New-York: 18 April 2019
Estimated: USD 80,000 – 120,000
USD 175,000

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
An Image of Celia, from Moving Focus, 1984-86
Lithograph and screen-print in colors with collage on TGL handmade paper and German etching paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered ‘AP XVI/XVIII’
An artist’s proof, the edition was 40

Phillips London: 24 January 2019
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 87,500 / USD 113,950