David Hockney

Sale: Christie's, London, Contemporary Art, 26 June 1984, Lot 575
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

Peter Webb, Portrait of David Hockney, London 1988, no. 21, illustrated (incorrectly)
Paul Melia & Ulrich Luckhardt, David Hockney Paintings, Munich 1994, p. 14, fig. 6, illustrated (incorrectly)
Exhibition Catalogue, Paris, Centre Georges Pompidou, David Hockney, Espace / Paysage, 1999, p. 16, illustrated (incorrectly) 

Colours: The colours are fairly accurate in the catalogue illustration, although the overall tonality is slightly deeper and richer in the original. Condition: The work is in very good condition. Each of the four corners is slightly rubbed. There are faint rub marks at intervals along each extreme edge, in particular to the left side of the upper extreme edge, to the left and right sides of the lower extreme edge and to the lower half of the right extreme edge. There is a small pinhole to the centre of the top edge. A few very fine and unobtrusive hairline cracks are visible upon close inspection to the right side of the topmost part of the upper extreme edge, and to strokes of thicker pigment approx 8 cm in from the lower centre of the right extreme edge. There are a few small media accretions, light watermarks and minor spots of surface dirt scattered throughout. Under ultraviolet light a few spots of retouching fluoresce: some along the top section of the right extreme edge, some short horizontal lines in the upper left quadrant, and a few further small spots of retouching at intervals to the lower part of the left extreme edge.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

While a student at the Royal College of Art in London Hockey left behind his Bradford manner and embraced a more radical approach to his subjects. Influenced by Alan Davie's bold abstract expressionist canvases, he painted symbolic compositions with references to his own sexual awakening.