DAVID HOCKNEY

Portraits Galerie Lelong 30 April–27 May 2020 Online Only

Press Release

David Hockney has been practicing the art of the portrait and the self-portrait for more than 60 years. Under the title, Drawing from Life, the National Portrait Gallery in London recently brought together a wide selection of portraits of five of his favourite subjects produced over these six decades: the artist himself, his mother and three of his closest friends, Celia Birtwell who was already a luminous presence in the famous painting entitled Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy; Maurice Payne, his printing assistant with an aquiline profile; and Gregory Evans who was held in high esteem by the artist as each of the portraits drawn of him shows.

In this exhibition, there is a secret figure: time. We can read its sometimes devastating effects on the faces of the models as they age; we also witness the evolution over time of the painter’s sentiments towards each of his friends. This is a novel, the novel of a life that is unfolding before our very eyes. The last room, which includes the most recent portraits of all the models, except for his deceased mother, inevitably brings to mind the In Search of Time Lost of Marcel Proust.

As an echo to this exhibition, which has unfortunately had to close due to the epidemic, we invite you to an online exhibition of portraits that places special focus on the variety of techniques used by the artist, including drawings on computers, self-portraits on an iPad, photographs, collages of photographs, prints or lithographs.

David Hockney is spending this time of lockdown in his new studio in Normandy, which is where he has produced the latest portraits. But above all, he is feverishly painting the arrival of spring, immortalising the hawthorn, pear, cherry and apple trees blossoming in succession in his garden. This ensemble of work will be the subject of our next exhibition, not online but well and truly for real, in our gallery on rue de Téhéran in Paris.

Henry avoiding the sun by David Hockney contemporary artwork photography

David Hockney Henry avoiding the sun, 1975 Photograph
27 x 20.7 cm
Galerie Lelong Request Price & Availability

About the Artist

David Hockney was born in 1937 in Bradford, United Kingdom. He lives and works in the Californian city of Los Angeles, USA.

View Artist Profile

Also Exhibiting at Galerie Lelong

All Exhibitions

PAULA REGO Drawing from Life Galerie Lelong 21 May–11 July 2026 38 Avenue Matignon, Paris

EDUARDO CHILLIDA Estampes choisies Galerie Lelong 21 May–11 July 2026 13 Rue de Téhéran, Paris

KIKI SMITH Flight Galerie Lelong 21 May–11 July 2026 13 Rue de Téhéran, Paris

About the Gallery

Galerie Lelong is located in Paris and New York. It was founded by Jacques Dupin, Daniel Lelong and Jean Frémon.

The Paris gallery has been exhibiting recent works from artists of international standing since 1981. The 1980s were notable for artists who went on to become household names, including Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies, Francis Bacon, Louise Bourgeois, Eduardo Chillida, Paul Rebeyrolle, Pierre Alechinsky, but also for the next generation of artists: Konrad Klapheck, Jan Dibbets, Donald Judd, Robert Ryman, Richard Serra, Jannis Kounellis, Arnulf Rainer, Nicola De Maria and Jan Voss.

In the 1990s, the gallery hosted artists who represented major movements in contemporary art: Sean Scully, Günther Förg, Andy Goldsworthy, Ernest Pignon-Ernest, Antonio Saura. The gallery also increased international recognition of the work of Ana Mendieta.

Since the turn of the century, Galerie Lelong has accentuated the geographical and expressive diversity of its artists: from sculpture and objects by Jaume Plensa, David Nash, Wolfgang Laib, Kiki Smith, Rebecca Horn, Barry Flanagan to installations by Barthélémy Toguo and Lin Tianmiao, without forgetting painting, namely David Hockney, Robert Motherwell, Kate Shepherd, Nalini Malani, Nancy Spero, Juan Uslé, Leon Kossoff.

Galerie Lelong has a large publishing department which produces and distributes engravings, lithographs, digital prints and multiple objects, and collates these works in catalogues raisonnés.

It produces monumental sculptures to order for public spaces and private clients.

The gallery is present at the leading international contemporary art fairs (Art Basel, Art Basel Miami Beach, Art Basel Hong Kong, Fiac Paris, Frieze London, Frieze New York, Arco Madrid, Art Brussels, Expo Chicago...).

The directors of the gallery are Jean Frémon, Daniel Lelong and Patrice Cotensin in Paris and Mary Sabbatino in New York.

View Gallery Profile

Address

13 rue de Téhéran
Paris
France

Opening Hours

Tues - Fri, 10.30am - 6pm
Sat, 2pm - 6.30pm

Galerie Lelong

13 rue de Téhéran, Paris, France

+33 145 631 319
http://www.galerie-lelong.com

Opening hours

Tues - Fri, 10.30am - 6pm
Sat, 2pm - 6.30pm

Magazine Gallery Platform Advisory

Ocula Magazine

A respected voice in contemporary art discourse.

Focusing on ambitious storytelling and insightful art-world commentary. Ocula Magazine publishes in-depth interviews, critical essays and timely analysis on the artists, exhibitions and ideas driving the global art world.

Learn more about Ocula Magazine

Ocula Gallery Platform

Showcasing the best of the art world.

Ocula partners with galleries from around the world to highlight their artists, artworks and exhibitions. Gallery membership is by application and invitation, with each member vetted by an independent panel.

Learn more about Ocula Membership

Ocula Advisory

Specialises in the sale of major artworks.

Led by a team with deep ties to the world’s leading auction houses, galleries and collectors. Ocula’s advisory team offers bespoke services to high-net-worth clients from around the world who are looking to acquire the best of contemporary and modern art.

Learn more about our team and services

The art world in focus

DAVID HOCKNEY

Selected Works

Also Exhibiting at Galerie Lelong