Pleading for the Child, David Hockney, 1969 (published 1970)
David Hockney, portraitDavid HockneyBritish, 1937–2026

Pleading for the Child

1969 (published 1970) · Print

May one see it?

Not receiving at present

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Minneapolis, United States

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked
In this state since
Source
The museum

About the work

A landmark of 20th-century book illustration, David Hockney’s unconventional interpretation of fairy tales selected from the hundreds compiled by the Brothers Grimm (Jakob Ludwig Carl Grimm and Wilhelm Carl Grimm) during the 19th century, considers the supernatural and psychological content of these bizarre stories in visual terms. With a virtuoso handling of linear and tonal intaglio printmaking, Hockney explores the characters’ motivations, values, and temperaments, presenting his own reading of the tales while seeking a greater understanding of human mentality. The illustrations also reference art of the past, a common feature of Hockney’s work, with visual allusions to Uccello, Carpaccio, Leonardo, Brueghel, and René Magritte. As a result, there is a timeless quality to the images that complements the stories’ centuries-old legacy of folklore.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Particulars

Accession number
2017.152.7

In the catalog

Sources

Meanwhile, in the life of David Hockney

The whole life
  1. 1966–1978

    Stage designer: “Ubu Roi” and the Glyndebourne operas

    Hockney’s first stage designs are for “Ubu Roi” at London’s Royal Court Theatre (1966), followed by Stravinsky’s “The Rake’s Progress” (1975) and “The Magic Flute” (1978) for the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. It is the start of the opera work that will go on in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and London.

  2. 1967 · Award

    John Moores Painting Prize

  3. from 1968

    Double portraits of friends, lovers and relatives

    From 1968, and for the next few years, Hockney paints portraits and double portraits of friends, lovers and relatives just under life-size, in a realistic style that adroitly captures the likenesses. He returns to the portrait throughout his career, creating over 300 self-portraits.

  4. 27 June 1968 – 6 October 1968

    Exhibition: 4. documenta

  5. by 1970

    A retrospective at London’s Whitechapel Gallery

    By 1970 London’s Whitechapel Gallery has organised the first of several major retrospectives of Hockney’s work, which subsequently travel to three European institutions.

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