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Introduction

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Since the 1960s, flowers have been a central theme of David Hockney’s work. From etchings to lithographs to iPad drawings, the humble vase of flowers has been under constant review by the British artist. A keen student of this art historical tradition, Hockney was initially drawn to Vincent Van Gogh’s sunflower painting’s from the late 1880s. Throughout the years, Hockney, alike Van Gogh, has frequently returned to the subject of flowers.

Vincent van Gogh, Sunflowers, 1889, Philadelphia Museum of Art. Image: Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Mr. and Mrs. Carroll S. Tyson, Jr., Collection, 1963

His exploration of the floral still life as a formal composition further provided him a means of exploring medium, specifically diverse printmaking techniques. Showcasing his mastery of the various printing methods, Hockney’s depictions of flowers are delicate and moving works exemplar of the development of his unique style, excitement regarding new printing techniques, and his endless experimentations with color, form, and line.

First reproduced by the German newspaper, Die Welt, and later debuted at Musée Matisse in Nice, Hockney’s 2021 series of twenty flower iPad paintings captures various arrangements of blooms set against a backdrop of gingham tablecloths and burgundy walls.

“I was just sitting at the table in our house, and I caught sight of some flowers in a vase on the table,” Hockney explains. “A few days later I started another from the same position with the same ceramic vase. This took longer to do. I then realized if I put the flowers in a glass vase the sun would catch the water, and painting glass would be a more interesting thing to do. So then I was off.”

Though attributes vary in each work, such as the species of flower, type of vase, and the color of the tablecloth, consistent elements across this series allow viewers to admire Hockney’s technique and dedication to his subject. Capturing a spectrum of floral compositions with contrasting tones and textures, Hockney displays his propensity for balancing the central artistic elements of line, colour, and perspective.

The entire group of 20 Flowers features prominently in the immersive exhibition David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away), shown at London’s Lightroom in 2023.

 

 

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Twenty Flowers, 2021

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Medium: iPad painting printed on wove paper
Year: 2021
Image: 30×21 inches (76.3 x 53.3 cm)
Sheet: 35×25 inches (89 x 63.5 cm)
Edition: 50
Publisher: David Hockney Inc., Los Angeles

Signed, numbered and dated in pencil along bottom edge with the artist’s blindstamp

 

30th January 2021, The First One

4th February 2021, Flowers in a White Vase with Chair

13th February 2021, Flowers in a Glass Vase

16th February 2021, More Flowers in a Glass Vase

20th February 2021, Jug with Flowers

24th February 2021, Red, Yellow and Purple Flowers on a Blue Tablecloth

27th February 2021, Tall Flowers in a Tall Vase

28th February 2021, Roses in a Blue Vase

2nd March 2021, A Closer Look at some Tulips

7th March 2021, More Flowers on a Table

15th March 2021, Flowers in a Jug

16th March 2021, Tulips in Cut Glass

19th March 2021, Sunflower with Exotic Flower

20th March 2021, Flowers, Glass, Vase on a Table

21st March 2021, Purple and Yellow Flowers in a Vase

23rd March 2021, Flowers in a Milk Bottle

25th March 2021, Flowers on the Table Edge

26th March 2021, Exotic Flowers

7th April 2021, Three Daffodils in a Bottle

21st April 2021, Yellow Flowers in a Small Milk Churn

 

 

 

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Auction Results

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Flowers On The Table Edge, 25th March 2021

Roseberys London: 16 April 2026
Estimated: GBP 28,000 – 32,000
GBP 47,040 / USD 63,680

DAVID HOCKNEY (British b.1937-)
Flowers On The Table Edge, 25th March 2021
iPad painting printed on Epson Legacy Etching paper
Signed, dated and numbered 30/50 in pencil
Printed at David Hockney Inc, Los Angeles

The First One, 30th January 2021

Roseberys London: 16 April 2026
Estimated: GBP 28,000 – 32,000
GBP 47,040 / USD 63,680

DAVID HOCKNEY (British b.1937-)
The First One, 30th January 2021
iPad painting printed on Epson Legacy Etching paper
Signed, dated and numbered 21/50 in pencil
Printed at David Hockney Inc, Los Angeles

More Flowers in a Glass Vase

Artnet Auctions: 19 November 2025
Estimated: 40,000 – 60,000
USD 60,000

DAVID HOCKNEY (British, b. 1937)
16th February, 2021, More Flowers in a Glass Vase, 2021
from 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures
iPad drawing in colors printed on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered in pencil
From the edition of 50
Published by The artist

Tulips in Cut Glass

K Auction Seoul: 20 August 2025
Estimated: KRW 72,000,000 – 120,000,000
KRW 85,100,000 / USD 61,015

DAVID HOCKNEY
16th March 2021, Tulips in Cut Glass, 2021
ipad drawing inkjet print
Signed, dated and numbered 19/50 on the front

Red, Yellow and Purple Flowers on a Blue Tablecloth

Seoul Auction: 27 May 2025
Estimated: KRW 75,000,000 – 120,000,000
KRW 88,500,000 / USD 64,605

DAVID HOCKNEY (British, b. 1937)
24th February 2021, Red, Yellow and Purple Flowers on a Blue Tablecloth, 2021
iPad drawing printed on paper
Signed, dated and numbered ’32/50′ and with the artist’s blindstamp on the recto

Flowers in a White Vase with Chair

Phillips London: 23 January 2025
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 33,020 / USD 40,945

A Closer Look At Some Tulips

Phillips London: 19 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 35,560 / USD 46,192

Flowers, Glass Vase on a Table

K Auction: 24 January 2024
Estimated: KRW 75,000,000 – 120,000,000
KRW 86,250,000 / USD 64,430

DAVID HOCKNEY
Flowers, Glass Vase on a Table, 2021
ipad drawing inkjet print
Signed, dated and numbered 33/50 in pencil

More Flowers on a Table

Phillips London: 21 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 40,640 / USD 50,100

More Flowers on a Table

Christie’s online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 56,700 / USD 68,869

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
7th March 2021, More Flowers on a Table, 2021
iPad painting on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered 17/50 in pencil