The Princess in Her Tower. 1969. by David Hockney, b.1937

David Hockney, b.1937
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The Princess in Her Tower. 1969.

Original etching with aquatint in black ink. 1969. Signed in pencil. Inscribed in pencil as 'A.P.' - artist's proof. Proof before the portfolio edition of 100. There were also a further 120 signed impressions for the signed album issue. From the series: Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm. Etched and proofed at the studio of M.Payne, London 1969. Issued by Petersburg Press, 1969.
Ref: Scottish arts council - Hockney Prints no 71

Very fine rich impression. On pale cream wove Hodgkinson handmade paper. Excellent fresh condition. Full margins. Sheet: 24 3/8 x 17 3/8ins. Plate: 17 3/4 x 12 5/8ins (450x320mm)

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The Grimms' fairy tales had a fascination for Hockney for a long period. In 1961 he made an etching inspired by Rumplestilzchen and then in the later 1960's he had the idea of making a whole series of etchings on themes from the 'Tales'. He started on the project himself and it was then taken-up by Petersberg Press. The 39 etchings which make up the whole set were finally issued in 1969, firstly in signed portfolio impressions, as here, and then in the unsigned book editions with the incorporated texts.

Hockney's fascination with the imagery of the Tales lay in his enjoyment of the way that the imaginary situations in the stories could be seen to echo, in a sort of symbolic form, situations of actual modern life. Whilst illustrations in one sense his compositions are also very much comments on his attitude to life in the 1960's expressed with a overlying sense of humour.

The 'Princess in her Tower' is one of the most famous images in the series.