Hockney's Dog Painting 17 of Dachshund Stanley Heads to Christie's Auction for First Time

Key facts

• Dog Painting 17, painted in 1994, depicts David Hockney's dachshund Stanley asleep on a cushion
• The work will be auctioned at Christie's in London with an estimate of £1.5 million to £2.5 million (about R$10 million to R$16 million)
• It is the first time this painting has come to market
• The series was created between 1994 and 1995 and features Hockney's two dachshunds, Stanley and Boodgie
• Stanley was chosen as a puppy in 1987; Boodgie arrived later and was more reserved
• The dogs lived with Hockney at his home on Montcalm Avenue in the Hollywood Hills
• The series emerged after Hockney lost several friends to AIDS and was shaken by the death of Henry Geldzahler from pancreatic cancer
• Christie's considers Dog Painting 17 one of only six paintings from the series still in private hands; the others belong to the David Hockney Foundation
• The current owner acquired the work after the series was exhibited at LA Louver gallery in Los Angeles
• The exhibition at LA Louver drew about 7,000 visitors in four days, according to Hockney
• The painting will be shown free at Christie's in London from 8 October, with the auction on 14 October during Frieze Week