(Image: Tom Marshall)
A rare painting by late Bradford-born artist David Hockney depicting his beloved dachshund Stanley is expected to sell for up to £2.5 million when it goes under the hammer at Christie’s next month.
The Guardian has exclusively revealed that Dog Painting 17 is believed to be one of just six works from Hockney’s celebrated Dog Series remaining in private hands, making it an exceptionally rare offering.
It is also the first painting from the series ever to appear at auction.
Created in 1995, the artwork shows Stanley, Hockney’s first dachshund, curled up asleep on a cushion.
The painting forms part of a wider series of more than 40 works the artist produced between 1994 and 1995, featuring Stanley and his second dachshund, Boodgie.
A painting born from personal loss
According to Christie’s, Hockney turned to painting his dogs during a difficult period in his life after losing several close friends, including art curator Henry Geldzahler, to illness.
The artist later said he wanted “desperately to paint something loving”, with the dog portraits becoming a form of comfort and catharsis.
Stanley and Boodgie were central figures in Hockney’s life and frequently accompanied him around his Hollywood Hills home.
Stories from friends suggest the artist was famously indulgent of his pets, once joking that an accident left by one of the dogs at actor Dennis Hopper’s house could simply be picked up “in the morning”.
Christie’s hails ‘extraordinary’ rarity
Tessa Lord, Christie’s head of post-war and contemporary art, described the painting as a remarkable rarity.
According to the Guardian, Ms Lord said the work combined “incredible spontaneity” and “fluidity of brushstrokes” while capturing the personality of Stanley through subtle details such as the flick of an ear.
The seller acquired the painting after Hockney’s dog series was exhibited at LA Louver gallery in Los Angeles, where the collection proved hugely popular, reportedly attracting thousands of visitors in just a few days.
Set to go on display in London
The sale comes only months after Hockney’s death in June and is expected to draw significant interest from collectors.
Dog Painting 17 carries a guide price of £1.5m to £2.5m and will be sold during Frieze Week on October 14.
It will go on public display at Christie’s London galleries from October 8, where visitors can view the work free of charge.