Franco-American Mail

1976/1977

David Hockney

Associated Names
David Hockney

Artist, British, 1937 - 2026

The image displays an array of abstract geometric shapes and irregular lines organized in a grid pattern. Each section contains distinct forms and patterns. In the top left, two red and blue mesh-like spheres are positioned beside wavy lines. Moving rightward, linear profiles and musical notes are visible. In the center, abstract figures and textures form mask-like features. A pipe shape is rendered in a grid style, while bold, crossed lines resemble an abstract crossroads. At the bottom right, a dotted column with an oval crown is present. The composition is framed with a crosshatch pattern in blue and red, giving the piece a fabric-like border. Each section encourages the viewer to explore the abstract.
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Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

See all 20 artworks

The Blue Guitar

David Hockney

1976

The image depicts a clean, rectangular shape on a beige background with subtle, straight and curved lines adding texture. The composition has an abstract quality, with faint lines blending into the backdrop. In the center-right, the words "THE BLUE GUITAR" are embossed.

The Blue Guitar

David Hockney, Petersburg Press

1977

This print shows an elderly person playing guitar. The person is seated and wearing loose-fitting clothing. They appear to have a gaunt face and a bald head. The individual is barefoot and has one leg crossed over the other, with their head bent down and one shoulder raised up. Their skin is pale blue, and the background and the guitar are in darker shades of blue. Surrounding this central print is a background with decorative elements in orange and green. Text on the top and bottom reads, "PABLO PICASSO Spanish 1881" and "THE OLD GUITARIST 1903."

The Old Guitarist

David Hockney

1976

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1991

  • Art for the Nation: Gifts in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1991: p.460.

1996

  • Tōkyō-to Gendai Bijutsukan. David Hockney: Prints 1954-1995. Tokyo, Japan: Museum of Contemporary Art and Tankosha Publishing Co., 1996, no. 182.

Inscriptions

lower right in graphite: David Hockney; lower left in graphite: 18/200; lower center verso stamped: The Blue Guitar / "Franco-American Mail"

Wikidata ID

Q74888399

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