The Gospel Singing (Good People)
The Gospel Singing (Good People)
Signed Print
David Hockney
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30 x 40cm, Edition of 50, Etching
Medium: Etching
Edition size: 50
Year: 1963
Size: H 30cm x W 40cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
Last Auction: April 2011
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Meaning & Analysis
An early plate from David Hockney’s A Rake’s Progress series, The Gospel Singing (Good People) is a signed etching published in 1963. Hockney visited New York for the first time in the summer of 1961 and began working on a series of prints reflecting on his experiences upon returning to his studies at the Royal College of Art that year.
While originally inspired by Hogarth’s series of the same name, Hockney chose the root of emulation rather than imitation, placing himself in the role of the rake to depict his experience of visiting New York for the first time. The prints in the series are often suffused in melancholy and isolation however this work is one of the more joyous editions, showing a woman singing to a congregation or audience, her arms raised in celebration and a halo hovering above her head.
In the foreground three shadowy figures avoid appearing menacing by the addition of their striped neckties emblazoned with the words ‘God is love’. In the corner, the artist is shown sitting and watching quietly, his face in profile, as is common throughout the series, his eyes blank behind his glasses. His arms and legs are crossed offering a sharp contrast to the openness of the woman’s figure above him. Here the red ink that can be found throughout the series moves from the left hand side of the composition, beginning with the words ‘hallelujah hallelujah’ coming from the gospel singer, and continues as a cloud or a burning sun and and in the figures of the audience, ending in block capitals pronouncing the word ‘HEAVEN’.
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.
