David Hockney – Flame (2009)

David Hockney is universally recognized as one of the most influential artists bridging the 20th and 21st centuries. From his origins in British Pop Art to his most recent digital explorations, Hockney has demonstrated a unique ability to reinvent himself—embracing technology while preserving the pictorial and conceptual depth that defines his visual language. His works are exhibited in the most prestigious international museums, including Tate Modern, MoMA, and the Centre Pompidou. Today, at 87 years old, every new appearance of a Hockney work is a major event for collectors and the contemporary art market.

Flame (2009): A Crucial Milestone in Hockney’s Evolution

Flame is an iPad drawing printed on paper, created in 2009 in an extremely limited edition of only 25 copies, each hand-signed by the artist. With Flame, Hockney captures the transition between traditional painting and the early digital experiments that would soon define his later production. The work features a flame suspended against an undefined background, perfectly balanced between abstraction and representation.

Its apparent simplicity conceals extraordinary chromatic refinement and a lyrical tension that transforms the flame into a symbol of vital energy and inner contemplation. It is a work that exemplifies Hockney’s ability to innovate without ever losing his poetic essence.

Market Data

According to the latest data from Artprice and Artnet, the market for David Hockney’s works has seen an average price increase of over 150% in the past decade. Works on paper and prints, in particular, have shown consistent growth since 2014, with an average increase of 154%.

The Hockney Index, which measures the overall performance of his works at auction, has risen by 361% over the last ten years, compared to a +9% increase for the FTSE 100 index, confirming the strength of this market segment and its appeal to collectors.

According to Wine-Searcher, the estimated total market capitalization for Hockney’s works now exceeds $2.1 billion, with a growth of 122% since 2020. Digital and hybrid works like Flame are particularly in demand among international collectors, with buyers from Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Auction results for similar works have recently reached record prices: in 2023, a series of Hockney iPad drawings sold at Sotheby’s London for over €120,000 each, with an average price growth of 18% compared to the previous year. Phillips and Christie’s have also confirmed a steady increase in demand, with collectors increasingly interested in these “threshold” works, created during a period when the artist was exploring new digital techniques.

Institutional Recognition

Hockney has participated in over 1,200 group exhibitions since 1960 and more than 360 solo exhibitions since 1964. His works are part of the permanent collections of 72 international museums, confirming his central role in the history of contemporary art.

A Must-Have Collectible

Flame represents a fundamental chapter in David Hockney’s career, foreshadowing the full transition to digital that would define his work in later years. Its extremely limited edition, the visual intensity of the subject, and the artist’s signature make it one of the most sought-after pieces among collectors.

Owning Flame means connecting with a pivotal moment in Hockney’s journey—an artwork that embodies the creative energy and continuous innovative tension of this master. It is both a cultural and collectible investment, encapsulating the history, technique, and vision of one of the greatest artists of our time.