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Medium: Lithograph
Edition size: 17
Year: 1980
Size: H 78cm x W 102cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
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Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 2010 | Freeman's | United States | |||
April 2005 | Bonhams San Francisco | United States |
Bill And James II (1980) is a signed lithograph print in sepia by David Hockney. The work depicts a scene of conversation between two male figures. In order to foreground the intimacy and emotional dynamics of the interaction, Hockney chose not to represent any surrounding interior in the print. By leaving the background plain, the artist directs the viewer’s attention towards the details of the physical likeness: the contemplative gaze and nostalgic facial expressions of the two figures.
As an artist reluctant towards commissioned portraits throughout his career, Hockney sought to capture something intimate about the personality of his sitters and chose to depict people who were close to him. Given its pared-down visual language and focus on the intimacy of the dialogue, Bill And James II can be seen to represent, what Hockney called in reference to Picasso’s portraits of Marie-Thérèse, a work of art about ‘the kind of intimate seeing.’
A fine detail of the wistful facial expressions reflects Hockney’s mastery of the printmaking technique, a medium that fascinated the artist from his early student days at the Royal College of Art. While faces of the two figures display precision and detail, the thin contours outlining the bodily postures are fragmented. The clarity of the image seems to fade deliberately in the bottom part of the print, urging the viewer to focus on what fascinated Hockney most: the depth and mystery of the human face.
British-born artist David Hockney is a kaleidoscopic force in the art world. Born in 1937, Hockney's vibrant palette and innovative techniques have left an indelible mark on contemporary art. A pioneer of the British Pop Art movement in the 1960s, he seamlessly transitioned through various styles, from photo collages to vivid landscapes. Renowned for his exploration of light and space, Hockney's versatility extends to painting, printmaking, photography, and stage design. A captivating storyteller, his works often capture the essence of modern life with a playful yet profound touch. With a career spanning decades, Hockney remains an enduring visionary in the ever-evolving art world.