David Hockney's Landmark English Landscape Resurfaces After 30 Years

David Hockney, one of the most celebrated British artists of the 20th century, is set to auction off his first major English landscape painting, English Garden, which has been unseen for nearly 30 years.

The painting, completed in 1965 while Hockney was living in Boulder, Colorado, is considered a pivotal work in the artist's career, as well as an important milestone in the history of landscape art. Hockney is renowned for his vibrant, unconventional depictions of the natural world, and English Garden represents an early example of his unique approach to capturing the English countryside.

The meticulously manicured garden scene, set in the heart of Oxfordshire, will be displayed by Sotheby's auction house before it goes under the hammer with an estimated price of £2.5 million to £3.5 million. This marks the first time the painting has been publicly exhibited since the late 1990s, offering art enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience Hockney's pioneering vision of the English landscape.

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Hockney's transition from his earlier, more abstract works to this detailed, representational landscape was a significant artistic development, showcasing his growing mastery of color, composition, and his ability to capture the essence of a specific place. The painting's meticulous attention to detail and vibrant, almost hyper-realistic palette have become hallmarks of Hockney's distinctive style.