David Hockney finally gets chance to bid for his Lucian Freud portrait

David Hockney finally gets chance to bid for his elusive portrait painted by Lucian Freud that is set to fetch £12m at auction

  • The Yorkshireman, 83, spent 120 hours sitting for the famous portrait in 2002 
  • He was frustrated at being prevented from buying it by Freud’s New York dealer 
  • It will be sold in London on June 29 with an estimate of £8 million to £12 million 

David Hockney will finally get the chance to bid on a portrait of him painted by Lucian Freud when it goes up for auction, where is is set to fetch £12million.

The Yorkshireman, 83, spent 120 hours sitting for the famous portrait in 2002, but was prevented from buying it because Freud’s New York dealer, William Acquavella, wanted to keep it for himself.

He then sold the work to a private collector, and it was hidden from public view until a 2005 exhibition in Venice and then a further two in 2012, including one at London’s National Portrait Gallery.

The Yorkshireman, 83, spent 120 hours sitting for the famous portrait in 2002, but was prevented from buying it because Freud’s New York dealer, William Acquavella, wanted to keep it for himself. The pair are pictured in 2002

The piece, which is considered to be one of the most renowned portraits in British Art history, is to be sold in London on June 29 with an estimate of £8 million to £12 million, The Times reported.

Hockney has previously recalled sitting for the painting amid the ‘old-fashioned bohemia’ of Freud’s flat, where they shared ‘bitchy art-world gossip.

He has praised the final work, comparing it to works by the French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne.

‘It’s not me; it’s an account of looking at me by a very intelligent and skilled painter,’ he said. ‘That’s what a Cézanne portrait is — an account of looking.’

In a biography of Freud, who died in 2011 aged 88, author William Feaver said Freud believed Hockney’s ‘resentment’ at not being able to buy the work was a matter for his dealer William Acquavella, ‘not him’.

Hockney – who lives in France – could not be contacted for comment today.

Freud’s dealer sold the work (pictured) to a private collector, and it was hidden from public view until a 2005 exhibition in Venice and then a further two in 2012

By 2020 Hockney had known Freud for 40 years. Freud was seen as Britain’s greatest living painter while Hockney – a fellow modernist – had already made his mark on the art world.

In Breakfast with Lucian, a 2013 book by Daily Mail editor Geordie Greig, Hockney described the four months in 2002 when he sat every day for his friend.

‘Sometimes I was early and he would leap up the stairs two at a time. No slouch at 80. He never wanted to be seen as inactive,’ Hockney said of Freud.

Describing his flat, he said: ‘I liked the old-fashioned bohemia of it all.

‘The plates with old beans on them from the last night, or even last week — it was like student days, very appealing, very appealing after all those very clean New York lofts.’

It is likely that one of Britain’s public galleries, such as the Tate Britain, could bid for the painting. However, they do not normally express an interest to prevent price inflation.

Hockney’s newest piece of art – a digital sunrise sequence – was broadcast simultaneously on billboards worldwide in May.

The six image sequence appeared on digital billboards in New York, London, Tokyo, and Seoul.

It was created by Hockney on an iPad during lockdown and represents a message of hope and collaboration as the world emerges from the pandemic.

The piece, titled, ‘Remember, you cannot look at the sun or death for very long’, was drawn by Hockney in the early mornings in Normandy, France, where he has lived since 2019.

Hockney’s newest piece of art – a digital sunrise sequence – was broadcast simultaneously on billboards worldwide in May

The two and a half minute sequence transforms from a dark scene with long shadows to a brilliant image of bright sun rays spread dramatically across the scenery.

The world renowned artist started experimenting with drawing on an iPad in 2009, and has praised the medium for not requiring an extensive clean up.

‘No cleaning up needed’, he told the New York Times, ‘and I can always draw at a moment’s notice.’

The famous artist started drawing digital with his thumb on an iPhone before shifting to using a stylus pen on the new released iPad.

‘There was great advantage in this medium because it’s backlit and I could draw in the dark. I didn’t ever have to get out of bed,’ said the artist.

He has now produced hundreds of paintings, portraits, and still lifes, on the Apple product. 

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