An Image of Celia (Study)
from Moving Focus

Medium: Lithograph with etching and aquatint in colours, on HMP handmade paper
Year: 1986
Sheet: 57.8 x 45.2 cm
Edition: 60
Artist’s Proofs: 16 AP (numbered in Roman numerals)
Publisher: Tyler Graphics, Ltd., Mount Kisco, New York
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (280)

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

In 1985, Hockney was invited by the editor of French Vogue to design its December-January issue. Hockney devised this issue to be a lesson in perspective, illustrated with photo-collages inspired by cubism. Taking his cue from traditional fashion magazine covers featuring the face of a beautiful woman, Hockney painted a portrait of his friend and muse Celia Birtwell. Executed in the style of Picasso, and illustrated obliquely on the cover so that the edges of the canvas are visible, Birtwell’s exaggerated features and brightly colored green-mascara eyes and red lips fulfilled the essential function of a cover, to ensure that the magazine would stand-out on display on the Paris newsstands. One of Hockney’s favourite paintings, Painted Lady was stolen in 1987 and has never resurfaced.

 Auction Results

Christie’s London: 16 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 4,000 – 6,000
GBP 8,190 / USD 9,885

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
An Image of Celia (Study), from: Moving Focus, 1986
Lithograph with etching and aquatint in colors on HMP handmade paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered AP Xl/XVl
An artist’s proof aside from the edition of sixty

Heritage Auctions: 21 December 2022
USD 6,250

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
An Image of Celia (Study), from: Moving Focus, 1986
Lithograph in colors on HMP handmade paper
Signed, numbered ’21/60′ and dated in pencil along lower edge

Phillips New-York: 19 October 2021
Estimated: USD 4,000 – 6,000
USD 9,450