London – Prints by the British favourite David Hockney triumphed at Bonhams New Bond Street Prints and Multiples sale today (16 December), which achieved a stellar sell-through rate of 92%. Two of Hockney's later works, Sun, from his Weather Series – which rose to lead the sale – and Pool Made with paper and Blue Ink for Book, each sold for £60,250, against pre-sale estimates of £15,000-20,000 and £18,000-25,000 respectively. Hockney's 1962 Self-portrait excited particular interest in buyers, eventually selling for over seven times its pre-sale estimate of £50,250.
An outstanding collection of Chagall prints also proved remarkably popular with buyers, with the selection of 26 lithographic works by Chagall – which came from a single private collection curated over the past two decades – selling in their entirety. This included Printemps au Pré, published in 1961, which sold for £47,750 against an estimate of £20,000-30,000, alongside Enlèvement de Chloé and La Chasse aux Oiseaux, which both sold for £35,250, against pre-sale estimates ranging from £18,000-30,000.
Laetitia Guillotin, Head of Sale, commented: "We are extremely pleased with the huge success of the sale, and enlivened by the determination of passionate buyers to secure these particularly attractive works by Hockney, whose position in the market goes from strength to strength. I'm equally delighted with the performance of the single-owner collection of Chagall lithographs from his enchanting Daphnis et Chloe series, and the results we've seen today are a testament to the talent of Hockney and Chagall, whose works resonate with audiences now more than ever."
Other highlights of the sale included:
• Yayoi Kusama's Pumpkin 2000 series performed well: her Green colourway sold for £50,250, her Red colourway for £44,000, and her Yellow colourway for £42,250. Estimates ranged from £8,000-20,000
• Banksy (B. 1974), Very Little Helps, 2008. Sold for £50,250, against an estimate of £40,000-60,000
• Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975), The Aegean Suite. Sold for £27,750, against an estimate of £8,000-12,000
• Keith Haring (1958-1990), Lucky Strike. Sold for £27,750, against an estimate of £8,000-12,000
• An assortment of ceramics by Picasso outperformed, including Visage de Femme, which sold for £31,500 against an estimate of £15,000-20,000, Colombe Brillante, which sold for £24,000 against an estimate of £7,000-10,000, and Hibou Noir Perché, which sold for £19,000 against an estimate of £7,000-10,000
16 December
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.