A remarkable print by renowned artist David Hockney is poised to be a highlight of Christie's London spring prints auction. This particular piece, titled "Autour de la maison, été" (2019), spans an impressive length of nearly 40 feet and is projected to fetch up to £300,000, equivalent to $400,000. Crafted on a singular sheet, this artwork not only stands as one of Hockney’s most expansive prints but also represents a pinnacle of his innovative printmaking endeavors. It beautifully captures the essence of his Normandy residence and its surrounding gardens during the vibrant summer months, featuring ancient barns, a swing, a treehouse, and parked vehicles, all enveloped by lush trees, verdant grass, and neatly trimmed hedgerows.
James Baskerville, the global director of Contemporary Edition at Christie’s, highlighted how the sheer magnitude of this creation redefines the perception of a print. He noted that with "Autour de la maison, été," Hockney significantly expands the artistic possibilities of printmaking to an almost cinematic scale. Baskerville further explained that the piece invites viewers on an immersive journey through the artist's Normandy garden, akin to experiencing a continuous visual narrative. He also drew parallels between the print’s narrative structure and the historical Bayeux Tapestry, a comparison that resonates deeply, especially considering Hockney's subsequent work, "A Year in Normandie" (2020-2021), a vast iPad drawing stretching almost 300 feet, which similarly unfolds as an uninterrupted pictorial story.
The auction of "Autour de la maison, été" is strategically timed to coincide with a new exhibition showcasing Hockney’s work at the Serpentine Gallery in London, as well as the upcoming display of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum. Hockney himself has voiced strong opinions regarding the museum's plan to transport the fragile medieval embroidery to London this summer, deeming it "madness" and expressing concerns about potential irreparable damage during transit. The print will be featured in Christie’s online Contemporary Edition sale, running from March 17 to 31, as part of a broader series of two seasonal online auctions. These include "Prints and Multiples" (March 12 to 26), offering works by prominent 19th and 20th-century artists, and the "Contemporary Edition" sale, which highlights late-20th-century and contemporary prints, along with editions by emerging artists. Both sales will be available for public viewing at Christie’s London starting this weekend. The sustained demand for Hockney’s prints underscores the robust health of the prints market at Christie’s, which reported global print sales of $70.3 million in 2025, with its EMEA division contributing $31 million across various print categories, including Old Master, modern, and contemporary works. Notable achievements include a record-breaking $4.1 million sale for a Rembrandt van Rijn print and a new auction record for a print by William Blake.
The artistic journey often leads to groundbreaking innovations, and David Hockney's "Autour de la maison, été" exemplifies how an artist can transcend traditional boundaries, transforming a static print into an immersive, narrative experience. This work not only celebrates the beauty of his personal landscape but also challenges our perceptions of scale and storytelling in art. It reminds us that creativity knows no limits, continuously pushing the envelope and enriching our collective cultural tapestry.