David Hockney R.A.

(born 1937)

Pretty Tulips, 1969

Footnotes

Literature
David Hockney, David Hockney Prints, 1954-77, Petersburg Press for the Midland Group and the Scottish Arts Council, London, 1979, no. 115.


David Hockney remarked "I draw flowers every day and send them to my friends so they get fresh blooms every morning. We don't all see the same way at all. Even if I'm sitting looking at you, there is always the memory of you as well."

The natural world is an ever-rich source of inspiration for Hockney, his landscapes and floral still life artworks punctuate his career. Flowers are a central theme of the artist's work, playing a crucial role in his artistic development and unique style.

The balanced still life lithograph depicts nine pink tulips with sprouting vivid green stems and leaves flowing from the bulbous blue vase, centrally positioned in the composition. Two tulips fall towards the table, one penetrating the colour, stooping towards its respective shadow. The stationary vase is placed in stark contrast to the fluid movement of the dancing tulips.

Hockney demonstrates his mastery in print, employing a cross-hatching technique to create tonal differences between the vase of tulips and its symmetrical shadow on the table beneath.

Hockney's colour choice places the bouquet of tulips at the focal point of this artwork. The vibrant vase shade and the bright and soft hues of the playful tulips directly contrasts with the muted and colourless background. In Hockney's unique observation and close detail of this still life, he invites the viewer to find beauty in everyday objects, such as flowers.