David Hockney, one of the most celebrated artists of our time, is set to take the art world by storm once again with a monumental retrospective in Paris. Opening at the Musée d’Orsay, this exhibition is being hailed as the largest showcase of Hockney’s work to date, spanning an astonishing 70 years of his artistic journey.
The retrospective, titled David Hockney: A Year in Normandie & More, promises a deep dive into the evolution of Hockney’s craft. It not only highlights his iconic works but also unveils a trove of never-before-seen pieces, offering visitors an intimate glimpse into his creative process. The exhibition includes paintings, sketches, and digital works that reflect the breadth of Hockney’s innovation and his mastery across mediums.
David Hockney’s After Blake: Less is Known than People Think. Photograph: David Hockney
Among the standout features is A Year in Normandie, an epic digital frieze inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, stretching over 90 meters. Created during the pandemic, this piece captures the changing seasons of the French countryside near his home in Normandy. Speaking about the inspiration behind the work, Hockney remarked on the joy he found in the natural world, saying, “I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty of the seasons, and during lockdown, I had time to truly observe and translate that onto canvas and iPad.”
The exhibition also revisits some of his most celebrated paintings, including A Bigger Splash, Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, and Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), ensuring that longtime fans will experience the joy of rediscovering these masterpieces.
This exhibition means an enormous amount because it is the largest exhibition I’ve ever had – 11 rooms in the Fondation Louis Vuitton. Some of the very last paintings I’m working on now will be included in it, and I think it’s going to be very good.
David Hockney
Hockney’s foray into digital art takes center stage as well. His iPad drawings, a medium he has embraced with vigor in recent years, provide a fresh perspective on his artistic vision. Works like Spring Cannot Be Cancelled and No Shadows: Late Afternoon in Winter demonstrate his ability to merge traditional techniques with modern technology, further cementing his reputation as a pioneer in contemporary art.
Curators at the Musée d’Orsay have carefully structured the exhibition to reflect the phases of Hockney’s illustrious career, from his early days in Bradford, England, to his groundbreaking explorations in California and his later life in France. The result is a dynamic narrative that traces not only Hockney’s artistic evolution but also his personal journey as an artist who has consistently pushed boundaries.
Art enthusiasts and critics alike are buzzing with anticipation for what is shaping up to be one of the most significant exhibitions in recent history. As Time Out aptly noted, “This retrospective is not just a celebration of Hockney’s genius; it’s a testament to his ability to continuously reinvent himself and stay relevant in an ever-changing world.”
David Hockney 25 runs from 9 April to September 1.
Header: David Hockney, Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), 1972
