An anonymous owner brought a David Hockney painting in an episode of BBC’s Antiques Roadshow. This artwork was created during the early years of the artist’s career, so there was a lack of his iconic use of vibrant colors in his contemporary artworks. Instead, viewers were treated to a vintage landscape made with a muted green color palette, as well as a rough, textured, surface.
The painting was appraised by art specialist Ruper Maas. The anonymous owner shared that this artwork fell into their hands because his grandfather met Hockney in Trimley St. Marty way back in 1957. His relative then purchased a painting from Hockney and his companion. “This is not at all what I'm used to seeing by David Hockney,” Maas comments upon first seeing the picture. “I have this idea that they only had green and brown with them because they were broke.”
The owner initially believed that the artwork was worth $15,000. However, Maas corrected him and said that the picture can be worth well over $35,000. “One of the things about David Hockney is that he is so instantly recognizable to most people that when you see one that isn't, you question it really hard,” Maas adds. “That's the problem with that picture. But…I now know what an early Hockney looks like.”
Image credit: BBC