The David Hockney market in 2025 stands as one of the most robust in the post-war and contemporary category. His works remain at the pinnacle of desirability, while his prints—particularly his digital iPad editions—have proven exceptionally strong, offering liquidity and accessibility across collector tiers.
Paintings vs. Editions
At the top of the market, Hockney’s large-scale paintings from the 1960s and 1970s—especially his California pools and double portraits—continue to command extraordinary attention. His 1972 masterpiece Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) remains a benchmark at $90.3 million, and upcoming consignments such as Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy (1968), guided at over $50 million, are expected to sustain high-end momentum and confidence into 2026.
At the same time, the editions market has grown into an independent powerhouse. Hockney’s iPad-based prints, particularly The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate (2011), have seen unprecedented auction activity in 2025. Sotheby’s London’s dedicated offering of these iPad works in October more than doubled expectations, reaffirming the strength of Hockney’s digital-era works and their acceptance among serious collectors.
Top Performing Works in 2025
The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate iPad series is unquestionably the star of 2025. Single-sheet iPad prints from the 2011 series have routinely sold well above estimate this year, with Phillips achieving over double the estimate of £70,000 to £90,000. Market trackers confirm that top impressions from the large-format edition of 10 have reached new highs, underscoring strong demand for images capturing vivid Yorkshire blossom and tree-lined roads.
The Yosemite Suite from 2010 has also proven a reliable performer, balancing recognisable American iconography with Hockney’s digital innovation. Collectors continue to respond positively to the combination of technical brilliance and natural grandeur that defines these pieces.
Hockney’s iPad Flower Works, especially those from the 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures series (2021), have transformed from novelty items into highly collectible and decorative editions. Once viewed as experimental, they are now considered quintessential late Hockney, merging technology, colour mastery, and timeless still-life tradition. The series’ growing visibility through dealers and online marketplaces has broadened liquidity, attracting a younger, design-conscious audience.
Legacy prints such as Moving Focus, Lithographic Water, and early pool-related lithographs remain strong, consistently clearing estimates at auction. These works provide stability for collectors seeking diversification within the Hockney market, maintaining steady demand alongside the newer iPad editions.
Collector Taste and Popular Trends
In 2025, collectors are clearly gravitating toward works that tell seasonal or narrative stories. Landscapes that track the passage of time—such as Arrival of Spring and A Year in Normandy—resonate with the contemporary emphasis on renewal, mindfulness, and the cycles of nature. These works translate easily into digital and print contexts, reinforcing Hockney’s cross-generational appeal.
Geographical resonance also plays a crucial role. The Yosemite and Yorkshire subjects possess immediate name recognition, offering both scenic beauty and conceptual weight. They represent Hockney’s dual devotion to the American and British landscapes that shaped his career. Meanwhile, his iPad flower still lifes combine colour, accessibility, and emotional immediacy—qualities that have made them popular among first-time buyers and established decorators alike.
Strategic Acquisitions for Collectors
Collectors entering or expanding within the Hockney market in 2025 should consider several focus areas. The Arrival of Spring (2011) iPad works remain the leading choice, benefiting from exceptional momentum and museum validation following the Royal Academy exhibition in 2012. Collectors should prioritise strong compositions with structured tree forms, saturated palettes, and excellent provenance. Clean margins and impeccable condition can justify premiums of up to 20%. Large-format editions of ten have approached half a million pounds, while standard-format works commonly sit within the low to mid-six-figure range.
The Yosemite Suite remains a wise acquisition for those seeking both liquidity and recognition. These prints combine Californian grandeur with technical mastery, providing a bridge between Hockney’s earlier landscapes and his digital practice. Works featuring clear light, defined forms, and minimal fading are most desirable. In 2025, typical results have ranged between $80,000 and $250,000, with key images occasionally exceeding expectations.
The iPad Flower Works have established themselves as entry-level anchors in the Hockney editions market. With their bold colour harmonies and manageable edition sizes, they appeal to design collectors and seasoned art buyers alike. Works from 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures are increasingly viewed as touchstones of Hockney’s late digital period. Collectors should look for compositions with complementary palettes, vivid saturation, and verified publisher stamps.
Classic works such as the Paper Pools and Lithographic Water prints continue to hold steady value and should be considered as long-term hedges. Their handmade processes and painterly qualities serve as counterpoints to the digital editions, ensuring balanced representation across periods.
Market Dynamics and Strategy
Timing remains critical. Seasonal peaks around Frieze London, Art Basel, and the May/November auction cycles have consistently delivered the strongest results. Collectors and consignors should align acquisitions or sales to coincide with these high-visibility periods. Works tied to natural cycles, such as spring or summer landscapes, tend to perform particularly well during spring sales.
For iPad prints, collectors must verify edition details, printer and publisher information, signature placement, and any embossing or blind stamps. Condition is especially important, as the digital prints are prone to surface inconsistencies and ink lift. Presentation and framing can significantly impact saleability, with crisp, museum-quality mounting often commanding a 10–15% premium.
Outlook for 2026
The outlook for 2026 is promising. The Serpentine North Gallery in London will stage A Year in Normandy from March through August 2026, featuring over 200 iPad drawings displayed as a vast panoramic frieze. This exhibition is expected to cement the importance of Hockney’s digital landscapes within his canon and elevate demand for related works such as Arrival of Spring, Yosemite, and the later Normandy series.
High-value paintings may see renewed interest if Christie’s November sale of Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy performs well. A strong showing could reignite confidence across the board, boosting liquidity in both paintings and prints. If results are soft, collectors are likely to continue favouring editions as the safer investment class.
Supply is expected to remain steady as private collections release curated selections of premium prints around major art fair dates. The market is likely to see increased grouping of related works—such as seasonal or thematic sets—to capitalise on the success of 2025’s dedicated iPad print auctions.
Final Market Summary
As 2025 closes, Hockney’s market shows no signs of fatigue. His ability to merge tradition with technology continues to inspire both collectors and institutions. Works from The Arrival of Spring, Yosemite Suite, and the iPad Flower series define the current cycle of demand, while classic lithographs and paintings retain blue-chip stability.
The outlook for 2026 remains bullish, especially for Hockney’s digitally produced landscapes. The Serpentine Gallery’s A Year in Normandy exhibition (March–August 2026) will almost certainly act as a global market catalyst. Expect renewed institutional focus on the dialogue between traditional landscape and digital drawing, prompting fresh collector demand for Arrival of Spring, Yosemite, and Normandy-related works.
The broader print market continues to show resilience amid cautious macroeconomic conditions. Hockney’s established museum presence, colour mastery, and narrative cohesion make his editions reliable stores of value. For strategic buyers, the most attractive entry points lie in mid-edition Yosemite and Flower works priced under $100,000, which are poised for proportionally higher appreciation as top-tier lots push beyond $400,000.
By late 2026, expect the digital-era series to account for more than 60% of all Hockney print trade volume. Institutional acquisitions will likely focus on comprehensive sets, while private collectors compete for standout single images with strong visual impact and immaculate provenance.
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