Description

 

 

Hockney, David (1937 – 2026)

The artist in California in 1979: ‘it is my duty to settle down somewhere for a while and here it will be’

An extremely rare two-page (separate sheets) autograph letter signed by David Hockney (‘David’), Los Angeles, 15th June 1979. He writes to his friend, the artist Vera Russell, opening, ‘I have been back here for two weeks now and Gregory [Evans] arrives yesterday. Our month in Italy and Switzerland was marvellous. I did not want to leave California at all last April, yet when I arrived back here for the first time it all looked a bit tacky. I can never make my mind up about America, there is a side that is so exciting and lively, and then a side that is narrow, ugly, hot and philistine — and then Europe seems beautiful, decadent and seeped in art.’

Hockney continues, ‘Nevertheless it is my duty to settle down somewhere for a while and here it will be. My brother Paul arrives on Monday and so will be busy with accounts etc for a week. In July I will be at Ken’s. Again, I’m split. I would love to just stay here and paint, yet I know Ken [Ken Tyler, the printmaker] is a rare bird and something new and exciting can come from it. I will be back here in August with Henry [Geldzahler] for a holiday.’

‘When would you like to come here? I think you should come for at least two weeks and then I could do a painting and show you around a bit. Towards Christmas, in fact to be more precise November and December we will be working on the Triple Bill for the Met. I have also almost agreed to do the Barber of  Seville for Glyndebourne for 1982. I love the music and the set is only two or three scenes, so I thought I could try my hand at a built set for a change.’

‘I must tell you again how much I loved the Chalet Bernadette. Gregory thought it was wonderful — he’d never been to Switzerland before. I felt very fit on my arrival in  England and my mother thought I looked very good. It was good in Bradford, my mother is settling down alone and wants me to correspond more — I will; she writes very good letters to Australia, and I think it’s more exciting for her to get a letter than a phone call.’

Hockney closes: ‘I’m quite pleased with the prints of Celia [Birtwell], looking at them again, and my big painting [likely A Bigger Grand Canyon] looks exciting, so I’m back at work on it — although alas only for a few days. I’ll try and ring you soon. Much love, David.’

Letters folds, and slight edge wrinkling, otherwise in fine condition. Autograph letters by Hockney are extremely rare, with this letter shedding rare light on his early days in California and his various artistic projects in 1979.

The production of The Barber of Seville did indeed take place at Glyndebourne in 1982, although the artwork was not provided by Hockney.