David Hockney 30th January 2021, The First One For Sale

Edition

Edition of 50

David Hockney's 20 Flowers series is an extension of the iPad paintings he created while quarantining at his studio and 17th-century house in Normandy during the pandemic. Inspired by his daily observations, Hockney immersed himself in the digital medium, which allowed him to be prolific in capturing his home, the changing seasons, and the surrounding countryside. The works in this series reveal Hockney’s meticulous technique for drafting larger-than-life compositions on the iPad, highlighting the presence of his hand despite the digital medium. His flowers capture the fleeting stillness of their subjects, while his immersive landscapes convey the vastness of his rural surroundings. Drawing from art historical influences such as the Bayeux Tapestry, seventeenth-century Chinese scrolls, and Henri Matisse's still lifes, Hockney’s pieces reflect his distinctive sense of time and space, whether bound to a single moment or created from multiple planes of vision.In each of his gridded picture planes, Hockney reimagines the Normandy countryside with bright colors, abstracted forms, and impossible angles, transforming traditional outdoor scenes. Themes of renewal and rebirth are prevalent, with the resulting body of work reflecting the pastoral nostalgia and beauty of the natural world.Consistent elements across the series, such as the species of flower, type of vase, and color of the tablecloth, showcase Hockney’s technique and dedication to his subject. Each piece displays a spectrum of floral compositions with contrasting tones and textures, balancing the central artistic elements of line, color, and perspective.