The Fine Art & Collectibles Sale
Lot 136:
Description
Signed (verso)
Image Dimensions: 39 1/2 x 30 3/4 in (100.3 x 78 cm)
This lot is accompanied by a consignor-provided COA or related documentation, offered as received.
David Hockney stands as one of the most influential British artists of the twentieth century, whose work redefined modern figurative painting through color, space, and psychological atmosphere. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, Hockney had fully established his signature visual language, characterized by crisp geometry, heightened chromatic clarity, and an acute sensitivity to interior and exterior space. This period marks a crucial phase in which his exploration of modern life, particularly within domestic and architectural settings, reached exceptional refinement.
Terrace at Night, painted in 1970, exemplifies Hockney’s mature engagement with nocturnal space and emotional restraint. The composition presents a quiet terrace viewed from an interior threshold, where architectural planes frame a moonlit exterior. The absence of human figures intensifies the psychological presence of the scene, allowing light, shadow, and spatial construction to carry the emotional weight. The painting captures a moment of suspended stillness, where interior order confronts the vastness of the night beyond.
Color plays a central role in structuring the image. Cool blues and deep navy tones dominate the exterior, evoking the calm and introspection of nighttime, while sharper turquoise and teal planes articulate the architectural elements. Subtle contrasts between warm and cool hues establish depth without traditional perspective, reinforcing Hockney’s modernist approach to spatial representation. The shadows cast across the terrace floor form precise geometric patterns, emphasizing the interplay between artificial structure and natural light.
Hockney’s handling of acrylic is deliberate and controlled. The flat, even application of paint enhances clarity and eliminates surface distraction, allowing color relationships and compositional balance to take precedence. Every element is carefully placed, resulting in a composition that feels both intimate and detached. This restraint reflects Hockney’s broader interest in perception, particularly how space is experienced emotionally rather than merely observed.
Art historically, Terrace at Night belongs to a pivotal moment in Hockney’s oeuvre, when his work bridged British modernism and the emerging visual culture of Los Angeles. The painting reflects his ongoing investigation into private spaces as sites of contemplation, desire, and solitude. Works from this period have become central to scholarly discussions of postwar figurative painting, particularly in relation to themes of modern isolation and architectural mediation.
From a market perspective, Hockney’s paintings from around 1970 are among the most sought-after examples of his career. International auction results consistently demonstrate strong demand for works that feature interior-exterior dialogues, clean geometry, and nocturnal atmospheres. Such paintings are widely held in major museum collections, and their rarity on the market contributes to sustained collector interest and long-term investment confidence.
In terms of spatial adaptability, Terrace at Night possesses exceptional versatility. Its refined palette and architectural clarity allow it to integrate seamlessly into contemporary interiors, museum galleries, and curated collections. The work offers visual calm while maintaining intellectual depth, rewarding prolonged viewing and lending an atmosphere of quiet sophistication to its surroundings.
Condition: ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH NO RETURNS OR CANCELLATIONS.
Additional photographs and condition reports may be provided upon request as a courtesy only. Any condition report, catalogue description, image, certificate, report, document, authentication statement, authentication opinion, specialist opinion, or communication regarding origin, date, age, attribution, authenticity, authorship, signature, condition, provenance, or value is an opinion only and not a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Yakon Auctions.
The absence of reference to defects, restoration, wear, damage, handling marks, conservation, alteration, or repair does not mean the lot is free from such matters. Photographs are for reference only and may not accurately reflect color, tone, dimensions, condition, signature details, or the true state of the lot. Buyers should review all images carefully, as they form part of the description.
Provenance is provided by the consignor, prior owner, or most recent owner and may not be supported by records. All reports, COAs, appraisals, authentication letters, provenance statements, invoices, labels, or related documents, including any opinions, analyses, or conclusions therein, are provided as received from the consignor, prior owner, or third party, and have not been independently verified by Yakon Auctions. Such materials are for reference only and are not guarantees of authenticity, authorship, signature, origin, age, period, provenance, condition, or value.
All artworks, antiques, collectibles, autographed items, signed memorabilia, music memorabilia, records, photographs, posters, entertainment collectibles, and related items are offered based on information and documentation provided with the lot. Unless expressly stated, Yakon Auctions has not independently authenticated any signature, inscription, attribution, authorship, association, provenance, pressing detail, edition, period, origin, or related documentation.
Terms such as "attributed to, " "after, " "manner of, " "circle of, " "school of, " "in the artist’s style, " or similar language mean the lot is not guaranteed to be by the named artist, maker, signer, studio, or period. Exact authorship, origin, attribution, or date may be unknown, and the lot may not be included in any official catalogue raisonné, archive, registry, or recognized reference source.
Yakon Auctions makes no express or implied warranties or guarantees regarding authenticity, authorship, signature, origin, age, period, condition, provenance, attribution, description, value, or marketability. Buyers are responsible for due diligence and should seek independent expert advice before bidding.
No return, refund, cancellation, or bid retraction will be accepted based on disputes regarding authenticity, attribution, authorship, signature, condition, provenance, description, estimated value, market value, or buyer’s post-sale opinion.
Original invoices, reports, certificates, or documents shown in listings will be included only if all items listed on that document are purchased. If only part of the document relates to the purchased lot, a digital copy may be provided upon request at Yakon Auctions’ discretion.
Please bid responsibly. If you do not agree with auction sale principles, the "as is" nature of the property, or the binding nature of bidding, please do not bid.
For inquiries, please contact Support@yakonauctions.com.
Share this lot:
