A rare artwork by David Hockney, featuring one of his beloved dachshunds, is set to make auction history. Christie’s has announced the sale of Dog Painting 17, a piece from the artist’s celebrated 1994-95 series, which is expected to fetch between £1.5m and £2.5m. This marks the first time any work from this specific series has appeared at auction, with Christie’s noting that only six of these paintings are currently in private hands.
The painting depicts Stanley, Hockney’s first dachshund, curled up asleep on a cushion. Stanley, who was named after the comedian Stan Laurel, was adopted by the artist in 1987. Along with a second, more reserved dachshund named Boodgie, the dogs became constant companions in Hockney’s Hollywood Hills home on Montcalm Avenue. The artist was famously devoted to the pair, often allowing them to roam freely despite the occasional household accident.
Biographer Christopher Simon Sykes documented Hockney’s deep affection for the dogs, noting that even his closest friends were surprised by his decision to become a dog owner. However, they soon grew accustomed to the noise and chaos the pets brought to his social life. One anecdote recounts a visit to actor Dennis Hopper’s Frank Gehry-designed home in Venice, Los Angeles, where Boodgie had an accident on the floor. When Hopper reacted with a stern look, Hockney reportedly quipped, “It’ll be dry in the morning, luv, and you can just pick it up.”
The creation of the dog paintings served as a form of emotional catharsis for Hockney during a difficult period in his life. He had recently lost several friends to Aids and was mourning the death of his close friend Henry Geldzahler, who passed away from pancreatic cancer. Seeking to “desperately paint something loving,” Hockney produced more than 40 works for the series.
Tessa Lord, head of postwar and contemporary art at Christie’s, described the painting as having “incredible spontaneity” and a fluidity of brushstrokes that remains richly textured. She highlighted the “flick of the ear” that brings Stanley to life and emphasized that the work represents more than just a portrait, offering a sense of universality and innocence. The painting will be available for public viewing for free at Christie’s in London starting 8 October, before the auction takes place on 14 October during Frieze Week.
