David Hockney’s Dog Painting 17, depicting his dachshund Stanley asleep on a cushion, is to be auctioned by Christie’s. It is the first work from Hockney’s acclaimed Dog Series to appear at auction, making the sale particularly rare and potentially significant for collectors.

The painting is estimated at £1.5m-£2.5m and belongs to a group of more than 40 works Hockney created in 1994-95, during a period of personal grief when he sought to paint something loving. Christie’s believes only six paintings from the series remain in private hands; the work will be displayed in London from 8 October and sold on 14 October during Frieze Week.