• Art The "Ages" of David Hockney
  • Music Harry Styles, from One Direction to the peak of androgynous success
  • Icons The lesson of Harry Styles, new masculine paradigm in times of fluid gender

London autumn is preparing to receive the exhibition David Hockney: Drawing from Life, whose crown jewel promises to be the portrait of British singer Harry Styles. Immortalized months ago by his compatriot David Hockney, the painting captures the pop star with her characteristic hair combed back, sporting a white T-shirt, red and yellow striped knitted jacket, jeans and a distinguished pearl necklace. The process of creating this work began in May 2022, when Styles visited Hockney's studio in Normandy (France).

In a recent interview with Vogue magazine, the former One Direction member was "thrilled and humbled by the privilege" of being portrayed by Hockney and expressed his gratitude by stating that the artist "has been reinventing the way we see the world for decades." The portrait of the musician joins more than 30 new works made by the Bradford between 2021 and 2022, which will be exhibited in the prestigious exhibition that opens on November 2 at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

This will also be one of the first exhibitions to host the newly reopened gallery, which reopened its doors last June after three years of renovations. The show promises to captivate visitors with a selection of pop-style portraits of Hockney's family and close friends, including his mother, textile designer Celia Birtwell and her partner, Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima. Admirers of the artist will be able to delight in a new self-portrait of Hockney, where he sports a cap and an elegant tweed suit.

In addition to the claim of the portrait of Harry Styles, the exhibition will also offer a retrospective look at different stages of Hockney's career, with pencil drawings made in Paris in the 70s, as well as a selection of self-portraits from the 80s. Among the most outstanding pieces will be My Parents and Myself, an emotional group portrait of 1975 that Hockney decided to abandon due to its poor reception in the art market, which generated a deep annoyance in his parents. However, the rejected work found its deserved recognition at the 2020 exhibition, where it was presented to the public for the first time.

Indeed, some lucky ones had already been able to peek into the exhibition David Hockney: Drawing from Life during its brief opening in March 2020, shortly before the closure due to the pandemic lockdown. During this time, Hockney has taken the opportunity to create new pieces of art, which will be presented to the public for the first time on this occasion. With the additions of the last two years, the exhibition collects almost 160 works, consolidating the artistic legacy of the octogenarian and providing an unforgettable experience to visitors to the National Portrait Gallery. The exhibition, anticipate the experts, will be a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vision of the world of a creative genius and delight in his most groundbreaking artistic proposals.

Modern art lovers and Harry Styles fans will be able to enjoy this fascinating exhibition until January 21, 2024. Tickets are already on sale on the website and the motivations to acquire them are not at odds: at the National Gallery will be welcome both those who wish to appreciate the creative talent of David Hockney and contemplate the face of the charismatic singer in a different way than the one usually shown by social networks and the media.

  • art
  • London
  • Painting

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