The Ghosts of Hockney’s Formality

David Hockney’s work has always walked a tightrope between staidness and revolution. His early days as an artist were characterized by an almost obsessive focus on the formal principles of Renaissance painting. Sharp-edged figures, poised in spaces as neat and orderly as those found in Fra Angelico’s frescoes, seemed to defy the chaos of the real world.

Hockney’s 1974 etching “Contrejour in the French Style” is notable not only for its technical mastery but also for capturing a fleeting moment in time. The print depicts a window at the Louvre, partly shaded to shut out unwanted sunlight while offering a glimpse into the garden beyond. Hockney’s fascination with this scene was no accident; he had recently moved to Paris and was still finding his footing as an artist.

The use of different etching techniques throughout “Contrejour” adds another layer of depth to the image. Soft mats of color for the window blind, meticulous linear hatching for the floor, and splotchy, translucent color for the surrounding wall all work together to create a sense of visual tension that is both captivating and unsettling.

This print is not just a nostalgic glance back at an earlier era; it also serves as a reminder of how artists often work within established traditions before eventually breaking free from them. Hockney’s own style would soon shift dramatically, towards fragmented space and expressive brushwork, but here we see him still very much under the influence of his early heroes – Ingres and Delacroix.

The Lost World of French Style

Looking at “Contrejour,” it’s easy to get caught up in nostalgia for a bygone era. The formal garden, parquet floor, deep window setback, and dappled wall evoke a sense of a lost world – one that is both charming and suffocating. This was an art form obsessed with rules, with a strict adherence to traditional principles that often resulted in paintings feeling more like diagrammatic illustrations than living works of art.

Despite its stifling formalism, there’s something captivating about this style. Hockney has taken the very principles of French art and used them to create a sense of visual wonder – transforming even the most mundane settings into something truly magical. This is an art form that demands attention, insisting on being looked at and studied in detail.

The Influence of Seurat

One striking aspect of “Contrejour” is its use of color. The soft mats of color for the window blind, the splotchy, translucent color for the surrounding wall – it’s all reminiscent of pointillism. And that’s no accident; Hockney has often cited Georges Seurat as an influence.

What’s most interesting about this use of pointillism is how it subverts our expectations. We’re used to thinking of pointillism as a radical departure from traditional art forms, but in “Contrejour” it’s used to create something much more formal – a tribute to the very principles of French art that Hockney was later to reject.

What This Means for Contemporary Art

Looking at “Contrejour,” one can’t help but think about how contemporary art has lost its way. We’re living in an era where anything goes, where rules are constantly being rewritten and boundaries pushed ever further outwards. But Hockney’s work shows a different approach – one that is both more formal and more radical.

This isn’t to say Hockney was somehow ahead of his time; rather he understood the importance of tradition in art and how it can be used to create something truly original. It’s an approach worth revisiting, especially as we navigate the increasingly fragmented landscape of contemporary art.

The Legacy

Hockney’s death earlier this year was met with widespread sadness – not just because he was a great artist, but also because he represented a bygone era. His work will always be remembered for its beauty and sense of wonder, but it’s also worth remembering the rules that governed his art – the strict adherence to formal principles that often resulted in paintings feeling more like diagrams than living works.

As we look at “Contrejour” now, we’re not just seeing a beautiful print; we’re also seeing a reminder of the importance of tradition in art. We’re seeing an artist capable of both great beauty and great innovation – someone who understood the value of rules in creating something truly original. And it’s that legacy that will continue to inspire us for years to come.

In the end, “Contrejour” is more than just a print; it’s a testament to the power of art to transform even the most mundane settings into something truly magical. It’s a reminder that beauty can be found in even the most unexpected places – and that sometimes, all it takes is a willingness to look closer.