David Hockney created prints for more than six decades, but only a relatively small group of editions consistently occupies the upper end of his print market. The most valuable David Hockney prints tend to combine iconic subject matter, scarcity, strong condition, important series, documented edition information and sustained collector demand.
Recent auction results show that major works associated with Hockney’s swimming pools and water imagery, Moving Focus and scarce later landscapes can reach six figures and, for exceptional later digital editions, seven figures at auction.
Expert review: by Robert Ubillus Adelman, Owner & Director of Masterworks Fine Art, with decades of experience buying, selling, and evaluating original modern and contemporary prints.
What Is the Most Valuable David Hockney Print?
Among Hockney's highest-priced editioned works on paper is 18th–27th June 2021, La Dorette Winding its Way, an edition of 25 that sold for $1.984 million at Sotheby's New York in May 2026. Earlier record-setting results include works from The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, whose 19 February edition sold for £762,000 at Sotheby's London in October 2025.
The Arrival of Spring and Later Landscapes
David Hockney’s The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 has become one of the strongest and most valuable series in his print market.
At Sotheby’s London on October 17, 2025, 17 works from the series sold for approximately £6.2 million in total. 19 February achieved £762,000, setting a new auction record for a David Hockney print at the time. Other standout results included 28 April at £698,500 and 2 June at £635,000.
Demand continued into 2026. In January, Phillips sold 26 April from the edition of 25 for £206,400, reinforcing the sustained collector demand for Hockney’s editioned iPad landscapes.
Swimming Pool and Water Prints
Swimming pools and water are among Hockney's most recognizable subjects and have become closely associated with his years in Southern California.
Important pool and water prints can attract particularly strong collector demand when the image, scale, rarity and edition are desirable.
One of the strongest recent examples is Lithographic Water Made of Lines, Crayon and Two Blue Washes, 1978–80. A printer's proof sold at Heritage in April 2026 for $225,000, establishing a new auction record for that edition. The work was printed by Tyler Graphics on handmade paper and exists outside a regular edition of only 48 plus eighteen artist's proofs.
The combination of iconic subject matter and low edition size helps explain why important Hockney water prints can occupy the upper end of his print market.
Moving Focus
Hockney's Moving Focus series, created primarily with master printer Kenneth Tyler during the 1980s, is one of the most important areas of his printmaking. Its large-scale Hotel Acatlán compositions are particularly recognizable.
In April 2026, Hotel Acatlan, Two Weeks Later, 1985, sold at Heritage for $162,500. The signed lithograph was numbered 27/98, aside from twenty artist's proofs, and published by Tyler Graphics.
Other important Moving Focus works include Hotel Acatlán: First Day, Hotel Acatlán: Second Day, Views of Hotel Well, Pembroke Studio Interior, and portraits of Celia.
Explore David Hockney Moving Focus →
Paper Pools
Hockney’s principal Paper Pools occupy an unusual position between printmaking, painting, and handmade paper. Created from colored pressed paper pulp, many exist as unique variants rather than conventional numbered prints. Their multimillion-dollar auction results should therefore be distinguished from Hockney’s standard editioned lithographs, etchings, and digital prints.
Hockney's Paper Pools project developed from his collaboration with Kenneth Tyler and combines his celebrated pool imagery with experimental colored-paper techniques.
Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink for Book remains one of the best-known works associated with the project. A signed example with the accompanying book and slipcase sold at Phillips for £58,050 in September 2025.
Value can vary with condition, completeness, provenance and whether the original accompanying materials remain present.
The Weather Series
Hockney's 1973 Weather Series remains an important and recognizable part of his printmaking. Individual values vary considerably by image, rarity and condition; stronger images and complete sets can attract significant collector interest.
The Blue Guitar
Hockney's The Blue Guitar is one of his best-known print portfolios of the 1970s. Individual etchings remain actively collected, while complete portfolios can command greater interest when the works and original portfolio materials remain together.
Important Portrait Prints
Portraiture is another important area of Hockney's print market, particularly works depicting recurring sitters such as Celia Birtwell and Gregory Evans. Value depends heavily on the individual image, period, edition size, condition and collector recognition of the sitter.
David Hockney Print Auction Records & High-Value Sales
Recent auction results show how dramatically prices can rise for Hockney’s rarest and most desirable editions. The following selected sales represent some of the strongest recent results for his prints and editioned works on paper.
| Work | Series / Type | Auction | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18th–27th June 2021, La Dorette Winding its Way | Later iPad edition | Sotheby’s, May 2026 | $1,984,000 |
| The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 – 19 February | The Arrival of Spring | Sotheby’s, Oct. 2025 | £762,000 |
| The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 – 28 April | The Arrival of Spring | Sotheby’s, Oct. 2025 | £698,500 |
| The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 – 2 June | The Arrival of Spring | Sotheby’s, Oct. 2025 | £635,000 |
| Lithographic Water Made of Lines, Crayon and Two Blue Washes | Swimming Pool / Water | Heritage, Apr. 2026 | $225,000 |
| Hotel Acatlan, Two Weeks Later, from Moving Focus | Moving Focus | Heritage, Apr. 2026 | $162,500 |
These examples illustrate the upper end of Hockney’s print market but should not be treated as automatic valuations. Edition type, rarity, condition, provenance and market timing can materially affect the price of an individual impression.
What Makes One David Hockney Print More Valuable Than Another?
Several factors typically influence the value of a Hockney print:
- Importance and recognition of the image
- Series or subject
- Edition size and rarity
- Condition
- Provenance and documentation
- Current collector demand
A scarce print is not automatically more valuable than a more widely editioned work. A highly recognizable image with strong demand may outperform a rarer but less sought-after composition.
Likewise, two impressions of the same edition may achieve different prices because of condition, provenance or market timing.
For a detailed valuation framework, see David Hockney Print Values & Prices →
Buying a High-Value David Hockney Print
Collectors considering a major Hockney print should identify the exact edition, compare recent sales of the same or closely related impressions and confirm the work's condition, provenance, signature, edition information, printer or publisher and catalogue references.
Masterworks Fine Art specializes in original David Hockney prints, including important signed editions from many of the artist's major periods and series.
Explore David Hockney Prints for Sale →
Selling a Valuable David Hockney Print: Valuation & Appraisal
If you own an important David Hockney print, correct identification is the first step toward establishing its potential market value.
Provide clear photographs of the front and back of the work, signature, edition number, publisher or printer markings and any available provenance or documentation for an initial evaluation.
Request a Confidential Evaluation of Your David Hockney Print →
Frequently Asked Questions About Valuable David Hockney Prints
What is the auction record for a David Hockney print?
Among Hockney’s highest-priced editioned works is 18th–27th June 2021, La Dorette Winding its Way, which sold for $1.984 million at Sotheby’s New York in May 2026. Auction-record comparisons can vary depending on how a “print” is defined, since Hockney’s practice includes lithographs, etchings, digital editions, handmade paper works, and unique variants such as the Paper Pools. For that reason, conventional editioned prints should be distinguished from unique or hybrid works on paper.
What are the most valuable David Hockney prints?
Some of the strongest areas of Hockney's print market include major works from Moving Focus, swimming pool and water imagery, Paper Pools, scarce later landscapes such as The Arrival of Spring, and selected works from other important series. Individual values vary substantially by image, rarity, condition, edition and demand.
How much can a David Hockney print sell for?
Major David Hockney prints can reach six-figure prices. Recent examples include $225,000 for Lithographic Water Made of Lines, Crayon and Two Blue Washes and $162,500 for Hotel Acatlan, Two Weeks Later in April 2026. These prices relate to specific impressions and should not be used as automatic valuations for other Hockney prints.
Are David Hockney swimming pool prints valuable?
Important swimming pool and water prints can be among Hockney's most valuable editions because these subjects are closely identified with the artist and attract significant collector demand. Value still depends on the particular image, edition size, rarity, condition and provenance.
Are complete David Hockney portfolios worth more than individual prints?
Complete portfolios can be particularly desirable when all works and original portfolio materials remain together, but value depends on the specific series, completeness, condition, rarity and collector demand. Individual prints from important portfolios can also command substantial prices.
How can I find out if my David Hockney print is valuable?
Begin by identifying the exact title, date, medium, dimensions, signature, edition number, printer or publisher and catalogue reference. Condition, provenance and recent comparable sales should then be considered before estimating current market value.
Learn more: David Hockney Print Values & Prices →
Explore More About David Hockney Prints
David Hockney Prints for Sale
Explore original David Hockney prints for sale, including signed lithographs, etchings and limited editions from important periods and series.
David Hockney Print Values & Prices
Learn what determines the value of a Hockney print and review recent auction results for important editions and series.
How to Authenticate a David Hockney Print
Learn how to research a Hockney print using its signature, edition information, paper, dimensions, printer or publisher, provenance and catalogue references.
David Hockney Signatures & Edition Numbers
Understand Hockney signatures, numbered editions, artist's proofs, printer's proofs and workshop markings.
David Hockney Catalogue Raisonné & Print References
Explore the principal catalogue and workshop references used to identify and research original David Hockney prints.
David Hockney Moving Focus
Explore one of Hockney's most important print series, including the celebrated Hotel Acatlán compositions and other major works.
Sell a David Hockney Print
Own a David Hockney print? Learn how to identify your work and request a confidential evaluation from Masterworks Fine Art.
