Art history and landscape in David Hockney's fairy tales
David Hockney's 'Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm'
Explore Hockney's inspirations for this beloved group of prints, celebrated in exhibitions worldwide over nearly 55 years since their publication in 1970.
THE BOUND BOOK
ALBRECHT DÜRER
Hockney was inspired by Dürer's expressive characters and their exaggerated proportions.
Hockney on the left; Dürer on the right.
GERMANY & THE RHINE
Hockney traveled down the Rhine river in Germany, taking photographs and soaking in the scenery: ancient castles and bucolic landscapes which inspired many of the architectural imagery in the Grimm's etchings.
Hockney on the left; Dürer on the right.
PAOLO UCCELLO
Taking inspiration from Uccello, Hockney modeled figures after the artist's 15th century paintings.
Hockney on the left, Uccello on the right
GIORGIO MORANDI
Hockney was drawn to Morandi's etchings: soft landscapes and subtle groupings of vessels and everyday objects.
Hockney on the left, Morandi on the right
RENÉ MAGRITTE
“...there was a line in the story [The Boy Who Left Home to Learn Fear] that said 'the man dressed as a ghost stood still as stone', and I rather liked that idea. So that of course is a thing from Magritte, you know, where he made everything made of stone.” -Hockney
Hockney, upper left, Magritte upper right and lower
View the etchings chapter by chapter
Chapter 1: The Little Sea Hare
Chapter 2: Fundevogel
Chapter 3: Rapunzel
Chapter 4: The Boy who left home to learn fear
Chapter 5: Old Rinkrank
Chapter 6: Rumpelstilzchen
