David Hockney: Drawing from Life (1st edition hardcover exhibition catalogue)

£29.95

This book, which accompanies the first major exhibition devoted to David Hockney’s drawings in over 20 years, explores Hockney as a draughtsman from the 1950s to now, with a focus on himself, his family and friends. From Ingres to the iPad – this book demonstrates the artist’s ingenuity in portrait drawing with reference to both tradition and technology. The Drawing from Life exhibition began at London's National Portrait Gallery on February 27 2020 and was closed in March due to Covid-19.

David Hockney is the master draughtsmen of our times and a champion of the medium. This book features Hockney's work from the 1950s to now and focus on his depictions of himself and a smaller group of sitters close to him: his muse, Celia Birtwell; his mother, Laura Hockney; and his friends, the curator, Gregory Evans, and master printer, Maurice Payne.

This catalogue examines not only how drawing is fundamental to Hockney's distinctive way of observing the world around him, but also how it has been a testing ground for ideas and modes of expression later played out in his paintings.

From Old Masters to modern masters, from Holbein to Picasso, Hockney's portrait drawings reveal his admiration for his artistic predecessors and his continuous stylistic experimentation throughout his career.

Alongside an in-depth essay from the curator, this book will feature an exclusive interview between author and curator, Sarah Howgate, and artist, David Hockney. In addition, an 'In Focus' essay by British Museum curator Isabel Seligman, will explore the relationship between Hockney, Ingres and Picasso drawings.

Publisher: National Portrait Gallery Publications
Number of pages: 208 
Weight: 1400 g 
Dimensions: 270 x 250 mm

Illustrations Approx. 150

Word count 20,000 words