David Hockney's Monumental 12-Meter Print Heads to Christie's Auction

A truly unique lot is being offered by Christie's, available online from March 17 to 31, and on display at the major London galleries until March 31. This remarkable piece is one of David Hockney's largest creations, a staggering 12 meters long, printed on a single sheet of paper, and his most extensive edition print. The artwork depicts the artist's home in Normandy, France, with its garden in the full bloom of summer: the vibrant greens of the grass, trees, and hedges beautifully contrast with the architecture of medieval barns and modern elements like a swing, a treehouse, and parked vehicles. James Baskerville, International Head of Contemporary Edition at Christie’s, explains: "With Autour de la maison, été, Hockney expands the possibilities of printmaking to an almost cinematic scale. Measuring an extraordinary twelve meters and produced on a single sheet, the work invites the viewer to journey through the artist’s garden as if reading a continuous pictorial frieze."

Parallels can be drawn between this work and the Bayeux Tapestry, which Hockney later cited as an inspiration for A Year in Normandie (2020–2021). That piece was a 295-foot (approximately 90-meter) painting created on an iPad and printed on paper, composed of separate images arranged in a continuous frieze. Its presentation in London, during Christie's online Contemporary Edition auction, is strategically timed to coincide with Hockney's current solo exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery and in anticipation of the Bayeux Tapestry's upcoming display at the British Museum. Baskerville further comments, "It arrives at a time when the market for his prints continues to demonstrate exceptional strength, with collectors increasingly drawn to ambitious, large-scale works that exemplify the artist's innovative approach to the medium."

Beyond Hockney's monumental work, the sale features other significant highlights. Among them is Banksy's Bunch of Flowers (2021; estimated at £100,000–150,000), a hand-finished screenprint created in 2021. This piece has never been publicly exhibited or offered for sale before, having been a direct gift from the artist to its current owner and accompanied by a personal note. Christie's notes a significant and well-known connection: this work is closely related to Banksy's iconic image Love Is in the Air, which the artist revisited in 2019 with Flower Thrower Triptych (Grey) – an example of which is also included in this sale (2019; estimated at £100,000–150,000). Also featured is Banksy's Kate Moss (2005; estimated at £70,000–100,000) in a striking color variant inspired by Andy Warhol's Shot Sage Blue Marilyn. Additionally, several works by Damien Hirst from his famous Spots, Butterflies, Kaleidoscopes, and Blossom Trees series are offered (estimates ranging from £1,500 to £70,000). This online event brings together superstar names and emerging artists, connected by the unifying theme of editions.