Celia in a Wicker Chair (1974) is one of the numerous artworks that David Hockney has created depicting his close friend and muse, Celia Birtwell. 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

 

1. Celia in a Wicker Chair

 

Celia in a Wicker Chair

Medium: Etching and aquatint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Year: 1974
Image: 27 x 21 3/8 inches (68.6 x 54.3 cm)
Sheet: 35 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches (90.2 x 74.9 cm)
Edition: 60
Artist’s Proofs: 16 AP
Publisher: Petersburg Press, New-York and London
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (158)

Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil

2. Celia in a Wicker Chair (black state)

 

Celia in a Wicker Chair (black state)

Medium: Etching and aquatint on Rives BFK paper
Year: 1974
Image: 27 x 21 3/8 inches (68.6 x 54.3 cm)
Sheet: 35 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches (90.2 x 74.9 cm)
Edition: 20
Artist’s Proofs: 4 AP
Publisher: Petersburg Press, New-York and London
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (159)

Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil

 

3. Celia Seated on an Office Chair

Celia Seated on an Office Chair

Medium: Etching with aquatint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Year: 1974
Image: 27 x 21 1/2 inches (68.6 x 54.6 cm)
Sheet: 35 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches (90.2 x 74.9 cm)
Edition: 60
Artist’s Proofs: 16 AP (numbered in Roman numerals)
Publisher: Petersburg Press, New-York and London
Printer: Maurice Payne (London)
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (160)

Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil

 

4. Celia Seated on an Office Chair (black state)

Celia Seated on an Office Chair (black state)

Medium: Etching and aquatint on Rives BFK paper
Year: 1974
Image: 27 x 21 1/2 inches (68.6 x 54.6 cm)
Sheet: 35 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches (90.2 x 74.9 cm)
Edition: 20
Artist’s Proofs: 4 AP (numbered in Roman numerals)
Publisher: Petersburg Press, New-York and London
Printer: Maurice Payne, London
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (161)

Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil

 

 

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Auction Results

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1. Celia in a Wicker Chair

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Christie’s New-York: 16 April 2024
Estimated: USD 5,000 – 7,000
USD 6,930

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Celia in a Wicker Chair, 1974
Etching with aquatint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered 54⁄60 (there were also sixteen artist’s proofs)

Phillips New-York: 16 April 2024
Estimated: USD 6,000 – 9,000
USD 13,970

Sotheby’s New-York: 19 October 2023
Estimated: USD 8,000 – 10,000
USD 8,255

DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Celia in a Wicker Chair (M.C.A.T. 158), 1974
Etching and aquatint printed in colors on Rives BFK wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 34/60

Phillips London: 21 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 20,320 / USD 25,048

Phillips New-York: 20 April 2023
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 20,000
USD 21,590

Sotheby’s London: 18 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 7,000 – 10,000
GBP 13,860

DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Celia in a Wicker Chair, 1974
Etching and aquatint
Signed, dated 74 and numbered 60/60

2. Celia in a Wicker Chair (black state)

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Sotheby’s New-York: 19 October 2023
Estimated: USD 8,000 – 10,000
USD 16,510

DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Celia in a Wicker Chair (M.C.A.T. 159), 1974
Etching and aquatint on Rives BFK wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 12/20

3. Celia Seated on an Office Chair

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Christie’s New-York: 16 April 2024
Estimated: USD 7,000 – 10,000
USD 8,190

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Celia Seated on an Office Chair, 1974
Etching with aquatint in colors on Rives BFK paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered ‘A.P. IX/XVI’
An artist’s proof, the edition was 60

Sotheby’s London: 15 November 2023
Estimated: GBP 7,000 – 10,000
GBP 11,430

DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Celia Seated on an Office Chair (MCA Tokyo 160)
Etching and aquatint printed in colours on BFK Rives wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 34/60

Phillips New-York: 20 April 2023
Estimated: USD 8,000 – 12,000
USD 11,430

DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Celia Seated in an Office Chair, 1974
Etching and aquatint in colors on BFK Rives wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered 60/60

 

4. Celia Seated on an Office Chair (black state)

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Sotheby’s London: 15 November 2023
Estimated: GBP 5,000 – 7,000
GBP 6,985 / USD 8,726

DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Celia Seated on an Office Chair (black state) (MCA Tokyo 161), 1974
Etching and aquatint on BFK Rives mould-made paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 20/20