David Hockney’s iPad Drawings Sell for $8.3 M. at Sotheby’s London, Doubling Sale’s High Estimate
In a resounding affirmation of David Hockney's enduring innovation and market appeal, a collection of 17 iPad drawings from his celebrated series "The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011" fetched £6.2 million ($8.3 million) at Sotheby's London on October 17, 2025. This total not only shattered expectations but more than doubled the sale's high estimate of £2.7 million, marking a white-glove auction where every lot found a buyer amid spirited international bidding during Frieze Week. The event, held at Sotheby's New Bond Street headquarters, highlighted Hockney's pioneering use of digital tools, setting multiple records and underscoring the vitality of the contemporary art market even in uncertain economic times.
David Hockney, the British artist born in 1937 in Bradford, Yorkshire, has long been a trailblazer in merging traditional artistry with modern technology. As detailed on his official website, Hockney's career spans over six decades, from his early Pop Art influences in the 1960s to his groundbreaking experiments with photography, fax machines, and digital devices. Now 88 years old, Hockney continues to push boundaries, as evidenced by his upcoming exhibition at London's Serpentine Gallery in 2026, featuring over 100 iPad depictions of his Normandy home. His embrace of the iPad began around 2009, initially with an iPhone, allowing him to create vibrant, layered compositions that capture fleeting moments of light and color. The medium's speed and portability revolutionized his process, enabling rapid adjustments to brushes and hues without the constraints of physical paints drying or weather interruptions.
The sold series, "The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011," originated from Hockney's return to his native Yorkshire in 2005 after decades in California. Settling in Bridlington, he immersed himself in the local landscapes, particularly the winding country road known as Woldgate. In January 2011, Hockney set out to document the gradual emergence of spring en plein air, initially planning to use traditional paints. However, the harsh winter conditions prompted a switch to the iPad, which he praised for its efficiency in his 2012 Royal Academy exhibition catalogue: "The light changes quickly here, so you have to choose how you want to depict it. I realized how fast I can capture it with the iPad, a lot faster than watercolor. You can choose a new color or a new brush more rapidly. You don’t have to wait for anything to dry." Over several months, he visited the same spots daily, creating rough outlines on-site and refining them in his studio. The full series of 51 images debuted at the Royal Academy's "A Bigger Picture" retrospective in 2012, drawing over 600,000 visitors and cementing Hockney's status as a digital pioneer.
The 17 prints auctioned at Sotheby's were editions from this series, each iPad drawing printed in colors on wove paper, with sheets measuring around 139.7 by 105.4 cm. They depict a progression of seasonal changes: barren trees giving way to budding leaves, misty mornings with purple roads, swirling green and purple foliage, wildflowers in blocks of green, and pathways flanked by brick walls. Yessica Marks, head of prints at Sotheby’s Europe, described the works as "not a nostalgic look back, but a statement of renewal, a work that looks forward," emphasizing how Hockney used the iPad as a "modern sketchbook" to explore timeless themes of light, time, and perception. The auction represented the largest group of these iPad drawings to come to market, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire pieces from a pivotal moment in Hockney's oeuvre.
The sale's performance was nothing short of spectacular. With a pre-sale low estimate of £1.7 million ($2.3 million) and high of £2.7 million, the final hammer price of £5.1 million before fees—totaling £6.2 million with premiums—more than doubled the high estimate. This white-glove result saw all lots sold, with global participation driving competitive bidding. Notably, the print "The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 – 19 February, 2011" achieved £762,000 ($1 million), surpassing its high estimate of £180,000 and breaking Hockney's previous print record of £504,000 set in 2023. In fact, the record for a Hockney print was broken three times during the sale, and 15 of the 17 drawings set new benchmarks for their subjects across editions. Marks highlighted the enthusiasm: "This collection brought a spark to Frieze Week," noting the strong demand for Hockney's blend of tradition and technology.
Hockney's connection to Yorkshire runs deep. Raised in Bradford, he spent school holidays working in the Wolds' fields in the 1950s. In the 1990s, visits to his ailing mother and friend Jonathan Silver drew him back, leading to his permanent relocation. The Wolds, often called "Hockney Country," inspired much of his later work, including this series created six years after moving from Los Angeles. For more on Hockney's biography and Yorkshire ties, the Wikipedia entry on David Hockney provides a thorough overview.
This auction underscores Hockney's robust market presence. His works consistently command high prices; for instance, his 1972 painting Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) sold for $90.3 million in 2018, setting a then-record for a living artist. Digital pieces have gained traction, with iPad drawings functioning as modern explorations of age-old artistic questions. The sale's success during Frieze Week—a major event generating over £1 billion in economic impact for London, per Deloitte studies—reflects broader market trends. Despite a 4% global dip in art sales in 2024, as noted in the Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report, mid-market segments like prints show resilience, driven by online platforms and diverse collectors.
Sotheby's positioned the sale as an "exceptionally rare opportunity," with the prints from a private collection. The auction house's official site catalogs similar events, emphasizing Hockney's technological experiments from fax machines to iPhones. This builds on his history: in the 1980s, he used color photocopiers; by 2009, he emailed iPhone drawings to friends. The iPad allowed for enlarged, refined compositions, bridging digital and traditional printmaking.
The broader implications extend to the integration of technology in art. Hockney's iPad works challenge perceptions of medium, proving digital art's collectibility. As Marks noted, they enhance rather than replace the artist's hand, addressing "timeless questions" like those in his Normandy series. This sale may influence future auctions, boosting confidence in tech-infused pieces amid Frieze's vibrant atmosphere.
Hockney's legacy as a digital innovator continues to evolve. At 88, he remains active, with the Serpentine show promising fresh insights. This Sotheby's triumph not only celebrates his Yorkshire roots but affirms art's adaptability in the digital age.
FAQ
What was the total sale amount for Hockney's iPad drawings? The 17 prints sold for £6.2 million ($8.3 million), more than doubling the high estimate.
When and where did the auction take place? It occurred on October 17, 2025, at Sotheby's London during Frieze Week.
What series do the drawings belong to? They are from "The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011," created using an iPad to capture seasonal changes.
Did the sale set any records? Yes, the record for a Hockney print was broken three times, with one lot fetching £762,000 ($1 million), and 15 drawings set subject records.
Why did Hockney use an iPad for this series? The cold weather made traditional painting difficult; the iPad allowed quick captures of changing light and colors without drying times.