How Do I Sell David Hockney Art? A Guide to Valuation, Consignment and Resale of Hockney Prints

Few living artists command the same reverence, recognition and resale power as David Hockney. An enduring force in the art world for more than six decades, Hockney has achieved global acclaim across movements, from British Pop Art and figuration to digital experimentation and conceptual printmaking. For collectors looking to sell David Hockney art, this legacy translates into exceptional market performance, with strong liquidity, cross-generational demand and a collector base that spans seasoned investors, institutions and celebrities.

Whether you’re holding a signed David Hockney print for sale or a more recent iPad drawing from ‘The Arrival of Spring’ or ‘The Yosemite Suite’, his market strength is backed by over 25 years of appreciating value, high sell-through rates and institutional support.

Understanding Your David Hockney Artwork’s Value

David Hockney, Portrait of An Artist (Pool with Two Figures), 1972 

Knowing what drives David Hockney value is key to setting expectations and maximising your return. While headline auction results tend to spotlight his multi-million-pound paintings, his limited-edition prints, lithographs, drawings and digital works also command strong prices, especially when the right factors align.

Signed prints and editioned lithographs have proven to be excellent art investments, particularly when they come from Hockney’s most recognisable series. Works from smaller editions tend to be more desirable, with a David Hockney signed print typically commanding a premium over unsigned editions, especially when accompanied by strong provenance and in pristine condition.

Condition is equally important. Clean, well-preserved works with no damage or restoration are more attractive to collectors and typically sell for higher prices. Adding another layer of value is provenance. A clear and documented ownership history, including gallery invoices, auction records or exhibition catalogues, can all enhance a work’s credibility and perceived worth. 

Finally, subject matter and series can have a profound effect on value. The market has seen a notable surge in demand for Hockney’s ‘Swimming Pools’ prints and late-period digital works. His iPad drawings, especially those from ‘The Arrival of Spring’ and ‘The Yosemite Suite’, continue to resonate strongly with both seasoned and emerging collectors for their bold use of colour, immediacy and limited-edition formats. Hockney’s ‘Flowers’ portfolio, spanning almost his entire career, and ‘The Weather Series’ (1973) also continue to rise in value, with prints from this period carrying a David Hockney signature achieving strong prices and high sell-through rates at auction.

For sellers researching David Hockney art prices, these factors are essential benchmarks for setting expectations in today’s market.

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Why Consign David Hockney Artworks? Exploring Auction vs. Private Consignment Options.

David Hockney’s L’Arbois, Sainte-Maxime settling at Sotheby's, 2024  © Photo by Rayan Bamhayan.

When considering how best to sell David Hockney art, choosing the right sales route is just as important as understanding the value of your piece. High-profile auctions may offer visibility, but they also come with significant drawbacks. For many collectors, private consignment with a trusted gallery like Maddox offers a more strategic, controlled and ultimately rewarding alternative.

The Risks of Public Auction

Public auction may seem like the obvious choice, but it’s not always the most effective or secure. Fees can be high, with seller’s commissions, insurance, shipping and marketing costs quickly eating into your return. Perhaps more critically, the outcome is unpredictable. Once a piece is placed on the block, the result is final, even if bidding falls short of your expectations.

There’s also the matter of visibility versus privacy. A public sale creates a lasting record, which can be damaging if a work doesn’t sell or underperforms. This risk is particularly important for blue-chip artists like Hockney, whose market reputation plays a major role in resale value over time.

The Benefits of Private Consignment

For those looking to sell David Hockney artworks discreetly and strategically, private gallery consignment offers greater control, targeted marketing and often stronger financial outcomes than public auction. Over the past 12-18 months, private art gallery consignments have consistently outperformed auction sales, offering collectors significantly higher returns across many of David Hockney’s most sought-after series. 

For example, works from the ‘My Window’ portfolio sold for an average of 145% more through private galleries than at auction, while pieces from the ‘Moving Focus’ and ‘Hotel Acatlán’ series saw increases of 98% and 54.6% respectively. Even the ‘Swimming Pools’ and ‘Arrival of the Spring, Woldgate’ series, historically strong performers at auction, benefitted from premiums of over 40%. These results clearly demonstrate the financial advantages of selling through private galleries.

Private gallery consignment also offers discretion, flexibility and a highly tailored approach to each David Hockney sale. Working closely with the seller, we establish a pricing strategy based on current market trends, recent comparables (sales of similar works by the same artist) and the specifics of your artwork, be it a David Hockney signed print or a vibrant iPad drawing from ‘The Arrival of Spring’ series.

We then discreetly present the work to a curated network of qualified buyers, including private collectors, institutions and intermediaries across more than 60 countries. This targeted approach eliminates speculative bidding and instead focuses on matching your piece with the most motivated and informed buyers, often achieving stronger financial outcomes.

With over a decade of experience and thousands of successful consignments, Maddox has sold works by David Hockney across all major series, from £10K–£400K. Each sale is handled with care and backed by full logistics support and tailored marketing, ensuring a seamless experience for every client.

No two Hockney artworks—or their owners—are alike. That’s why every Maddox consignment begins with a one-on-one consultation to understand your goals, timing preferences and pricing expectations. You might be looking for a fast sale or hoping to maximize long-term return. Either way, our advisors will craft a strategy that aligns with both your artwork and the market.

How to Sell or Consign David Hockney Artworks with Maddox Gallery

 David Hockney, FLowers Series. 

If you’re ready to sell or consign David Hockney artwork, Maddox Gallery offers a trusted, efficient and discreet route to market. Our white-glove consignment process ensures your artwork is expertly valued, positioned and promoted to an active collector base, with zero commission and flexible consignment terms.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Submit Artwork Details

To begin, simply share a few essential details about your Hockney piece. This includes:

• Clear photographs of the artwork and any signature or edition markings

• Dimensions and medium

• Edition number (if applicable)

• Provenance (such as gallery invoices, auction records or certificates)

Providing an accurate initial assessment depends on these key details.

2. Complimentary Valuation & Market Advice

Once we’ve reviewed your submission, a Maddox specialist will provide a free, no-obligation valuation. These tailored, private-market pricing recommendations are based on comparable private sales date, current collector demand for specific Hockney works and our experience placing hundreds of Hockney works with collectors globally.

3. Agree Terms & Promote Strategically

If you choose to proceed, we’ll issue a consignment agreement outlining timeframe and sales terms, together with a complimentary condition report and high-resolution photography of your Hockney artwork. If you need to verify the provenance of your piece or get expert framing or conservation advice, you can also tap into our network of specialists to ensure your work is presented at its very best.

From there, it is marketed discreetly across our network of collectors and institutions through  targeted outreach—private viewings, pop-up exhibits, digital features and bespoke social-media spotlights—all without the public exposure of an auction. And you can rest easy knowing we ensure pieces from the moment we take possession of the work, at no cost to you.

4. Present to Qualified Buyers

Maddox will manage all buyer engagement, presenting your Hockney work only to pre-vetted collectors with serious interest, and keep you fully in the loop with regular updates on enquiries. This curated approach allows us to maintain pricing control and client discretion, while maximising the likelihood of a swift, secure sale.

5. Finalise Sale & Aftercare 

Once a sale is agreed, Maddox handles all the post-sale legwork, from payment and AML compliance for high-value works like the ‘Yosemite Suite’ drawings to insured shipping, international logistics and legal safeguards.You’ll receive payment promptly, and our advisors remain available for ongoing support, future valuations or collection advice.

 Ready to sell your David Hockney? Speak to a Maddox art advisor today

 David Hockney, iPad Drawings Yosemite Suite and A Bigger Book Series

Recent Market Highlights: What’s a David Hockney Worth Today?

David Hockney artworks continue to deliver standout results across all price tiers in the secondary market. For sellers considering when and how to act, recent benchmarks offer clear insight into David Hockney worth, highlighting a market that remains resilient, highly liquid and deeply trusted by collectors and investors alike.

Market Performance by Medium

David Hockney’s secondary market spans a wide spectrum of collectors, with recent data confirming what collectors already know: demand is strong, global, and remarkably consistent.

Between 2000 and 2025, prints made up 85% of all Hockney lots sold at auction. The £10,000-£50,000 print band alone generated over £31 million from 1,447 lots, making it an ideal entry point for collectors looking to acquire a blue-chip name with global recognition. 

Higher-value editions, ranging from £50,000 to £500,000, added another £24.6 million in turnover, driven by demand for signed works from ‘The Weather Series’ and ‘The Arrival of Spring’.

This enduring strength across price bands proves the resilience of Hockney’s print market and the opportunity it offers sellers. With Maddox’s expertise and global network, now is the time to capitalise on that momentum.

Why Choose Maddox Gallery to Sell Your David Hockney Prints? 

Experience and positioning matter when it comes to selling a work by David Hockney. At Maddox Gallery, we offer a tailored, data-driven consignment process that consistently delivers strong outcomes for our clients, backed by an expert team and a trusted global network.

With flagship galleries in London and clients in more than 60 countries, Maddox provides true international visibility for your artwork. Our collector base includes high-net-worth individuals, institutions and celebrity buyers, many of whom are actively seeking blue-chip artists like Hockney. This global reach increases your chances of achieving a fast, high-value sale, whether you're evaluating a David Hockney limited edition print’s value or testing the market for David Hockney

Our in-house team combines curatorial insight with strategic marketing, positioning your artwork within Hockney’s wider market and legacy. We know how to present each piece to the right buyer, from experienced collectors to first-time investors, and provide guidance on David Hockney artwork price benchmarks to help you make informed decisions at every stage.

Maddox offers sellers a powerful advantage: discretion, speed and consistently strong prices. With no upfront fees, personalised marketing plans and hands-on logistics management, we streamline the process with complete professionalism, from valuation to sale. Our experience placing Hockney works across price tiers ensures we can deliver results aligned with your goals.

In addition to David Hockney, Maddox regularly manages consignments by other Contemporary blue-chip artists, including Banksy, Warhol, Kusama, Riley and Basquiat. This breadth of experience allows us to draw meaningful comparables, forecast demand and act decisively on behalf of our clients, all while upholding the standards expected in high-end art transactions.

David Hockney in his studio in Normandy, 2021 © Photo by Jonathan Wilkinson

Conclusion: Start Your David Hockney Sale Journey with Confidence

Selling artwork should feel rewarding, not overwhelming. At Maddox Gallery, we combine market expertise, curated exposure and white-glove service to make your David Hockney sale journey as seamless as possible. From your initial valuation to the final sale, every step is guided by discretion, insight and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for your piece. If you're ready to take the next step or simply want to explore your options, our specialists are here to help.

Get a complimentary valuation today and discover what your David Hockney could be worth on the secondary market.

Contact a Maddox advisor today to discuss selling Banksy art. Discover more about selling other high value fine art prints and paintings in our in depth articles: How to sell fine art prints and paintings, Where can I sell my art collection, and Where Can I Sell my Banksy?

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