David Hockney takes the famous painting of a chair by Dutch post-Impressionist van Gogh as his starting point for an etching. van Gogh’s work is notable for its realism and soft palette, however in Hockney’s version the chair is given an almost cartoon or Pop Art treatment, its wooden frame outlined in thick black lines which contrast with the light wash of ink behind it. Hockney has taken the original chair and positioned it in a tight corner of a room that is bare except for its bright red patterned carpet. It remains recognizable as van Gogh’s chair however, thanks to the pipe that rests on the wicker seat, an obvious homage to the Dutch artist, who Hockney greatly admired. The work also marks a significant departure from its counterpart Van Gogh Chair (Black) which, while striking in its palette, is rendered with softer marks and shading. With its cartoon style outlines Van Gogh Chair (White) stands out as a playful experiment, representing Hockney’s ability to push his chosen medium to the limit and challenge the boundaries of printmaking.
1. Van Gogh Chair (White)
Van Gogh Chair (White)
Medium: Etching and aquatint printed in colors on Somerset Satin paper
Year: 1998
Image: 28 1/2 x 27 5/8 inches (72.4 x 70.2 cm)
Sheet: 37 1/4 x 34 3/8 inches (94.6 x 87.3 cm)
Edition: 35
Artist’s Proofs: 10
Publisher: The Artist
Signed, dated and numbered in pencil
2. Van Gogh Chair (Black)
Van Gogh Chair (Black)
Medium: Etching and aquatint printed in colors on Somerset Satin paper
Year: 1998
Image: 28 1/2 x 27 5/8 inches (72.4 x 70.2 cm)
Sheet: 37 1/4 x 34 3/8 inches (94.6 x 87.3 cm)
Edition: 35
Artist’s Proofs: 10
Publisher: The Artist
Signed, dated and numbered in pencil
Auction Results
Van Gogh Chair (White)
Christie’s New-York: 28 October 2023
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 80,000
USD 63,000
DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Van Gogh Chair (White), 1998
Etching with aquatint in colors on Somerset Satin paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered ‘AP VIII/X’
An artist’s proof, the edition was 35
Christie’s New-York: 27 October 2022
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 70,000
USD 63,000
DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Van Gogh Chair (White), 1998
Etching and aquatint in colors on Somerset paper
Signed and dated in pencil
Annotated ‘B.A.T’ (a bon à tirer impression, the edition was 35)
Phillips London: 13 September 2022
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 100,800 / USD 116,209
DAVID HOCKNEY
Van Gogh Chair (White), 1998
Etching and aquatint in colors on Somerset paper
Signed, dated and numbered 17/35 in pencil
Sotheby’s New-York: 21 April 2022
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 81,900
DAVID HOCKNEY
Van Gogh Chair (White), 1998
Signed in pencil, dated and inscribed ‘A.P. X/X’
An artist’s proof aside from the numbered edition of 35
Van Gogh Chair (Black)
Christie’s London: 25 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 76,200 / USD 102,520
DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Van Gogh Chair (Black) (Pace 1), 1998
Etching with aquatint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered 29/35
(there were also ten artist’s proofs)
Christie’s New-York: 28 October 2023
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 80,000
USD 63,000
DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Van Gogh Chair (Black), 1998
Etching with aquatint in colors on Somerset Satin paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered ‘AP VIII/X’
An artist’s proof, the edition was 35
Sotheby’s New-York: 24 October 2023
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 76,200
DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Van Gogh Chair (Black), 1998
Etching and aquatint printed in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 10/35
Christie’s New-York: 27 October 2022
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 70,000
USD 69,300
DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Van Gogh Chair (Black), 1998
Etching and aquatint in colors, on Somerset paper
Signed and dated in pencil
Annotated ‘B.A.T’ (a bon à tirer impression, the edition was 35)
Sotheby’s New-York: 22 April 2021
Estimated: USD 18,000 – 24,000
USD 239,400
DAVID HOCKNEY
Van Gogh Chair (Black), 1998
Etching and aquatint printed in colors
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 26/35