An artwork created by David Hockney during his time as a student at Bradford Grammar School may represent one of the earliest surviving examples of the renowned painter’s career, according to an expert who examined the piece on Antiques Roadshow.
The canvas featured during the BBC programme’s filming session at Souter Lighthouse in the North East, where art historian Charlotte Riordan assessed the piece and characterised it as potentially the earliest known portrait completed by David Hockney.
The portrait portrays one of Hockney’s school companions from Bradford Grammar and was brought to the programme by that friend’s daughter.
The artwork has remained within the same family since its creation during Hockney’s twelfth year.
Viewers learned that the subject’s mother, who worked in the antiques trade, chose to preserve the painting upon recognising its exceptional qualities.
Observations on the young artist’s abilities Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus following the programme’s broadcast, Ms Riordan noted that the portrait already demonstrated numerous characteristics that would come to define Hockney’s later artistic output.
She explained that even at the age of 12, Hockney possessed considerable technical ability and distinctive personal style, with his work displaying a strong sense of character that likely convinced the subject’s mother to retain it.
Ms Riordan further noted that the mother’s background in dealing antiques provided her with the expertise to identify the work’s significance, and the family subsequently kept it throughout the decades.
The painting has remained within the family over many years, with the current owner disclosing on the programme that her father and Hockney attended an art club together while attending school.
The importance of this discovery The portrait features the subject wearing a Bradford Grammar School tie and was executed on brown school paper using what Ms Riordan considers to have been poster paints.
While classifying the work as artistic juvenilia, Ms Riordan observed that it offers a compelling insight into the artist prior to his rise as one of Britain’s most distinguished painters.
She noted that Hockney’s approach and technique in later life appear to have returned to elements reminiscent of his early work as a grammar school pupil.
The paintings that brought him considerable fame during his later career focused heavily on straightforward mark-making techniques.
This suggests he revisited concepts from his youth later in his professional life, which lends the work considerable appeal.
Ms Riordan also commented on the intimate quality of the portrait, suggesting it contained elements resembling a self-portrait where viewers can perceive something of Hockney himself.
Correspondence establishing authenticity During the programme, the owner disclosed that she had contacted Hockney by letter in 2001 while he was residing in Los Angeles.
The artist responded, confirming his recollection of painting the portrait and providing important authentication documentation for the piece.
Ms Riordan informed viewers that the painting could reasonably be considered museum-worthy given its significance within the narrative of Hockney’s artistic development.
While proposing a conservative auction valuation range of between ten and twenty thousand pounds, she expressed the view that the portrait might ultimately achieve six-figure sums exceeding one hundred thousand pounds.
The family indicated, however, that selling the work remains outside their intentions.
During the Antiques Roadshow broadcast, the owner expressed that the painting held tremendous sentimental value for the family and continues to serve as a precious memento of her father, who passed away in January 2025.
Reflections on regional heritage Following the programme’s transmission, Ms Riordan reflected on Hockney’s lasting association with his place of origin.
She observed that the city of Bradford should feel considerable pride in Hockney’s achievements.
The episode originally aired on September 27 and is now accessible via BBC iPlayer.