Slow Rise, 1993

David Hockney, one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century, is celebrated for his vivid exploration of landscapes, portraits, and still life. His work often combines a sense of intimacy with vibrant color and an inventive approach to perspective. Throughout his career, Hockney experimented with various media, from painting and photography to printmaking, each allowing him to reinterpret and layer scenes with depth and clarity. His interest in capturing light and atmosphere, often inspired by his adopted home of California, led to groundbreaking pieces that blend realism with a sense of abstraction, as seen in his work Slow Rise from 1993.

Slow Rise is a lithograph and screenprint in colors on Arches 88 paper, measuring 25 by 30 ½ inches. Created in an edition of 68, with an additional fourteen artist’s proofs, the piece is signed and dated by Hockney and published by Gemini G.E.L. in Los Angeles, with the studio’s distinctive blindstamps. This print exemplifies Hockney’s skillful use of color and form, suggesting a calm, upward motion in its layered composition. The print’s rhythmic lines and rich hues evoke a contemplative sense of movement, inviting viewers to engage with both the physical rise and the quiet emotional elevation captured in the piece. This work, like much of Hockney’s, embodies his ability to merge technical mastery with a deeply personal vision of the world around him.