LONDON.- David Hockney RA (b. 1937) has always been closely associated with California, where he has lived for much of his life. This major study of his work redefines him as an important painter of the English countryside, presenting his recent landscapes for the first time. A Bigger Picture is published to accompany the major exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London (21 January – 9 April 2012).

In the last decade Hockney has returned to painting in the open air, observing with honesty and intensity the scenery remembered from school holidays spent working in East Yorkshire. These works convey the drama and splendour of nature and the pathos of our relationship with it, an ageold subject treated by Hockney with a modern and spirited eye, often informed by his interest in photography and digital media. Spectacular works made using such techniques are also included here.

Marco Livingstone explores this bold departure in the context of Hockney’s sixty-year career, while Margaret Drabble, Martin Gayford and other contributors address such topics as the artist’s place in the landscape tradition and his ongoing use of new technologies. Hockney himself reflects on his recent work. Illustrated with paintings, charcoal drawings, iPad drawings and video stills, many of which have never been seen before, this landmark publication confirms David Hockney as one of the greatest artists of his generation.

Contributors
Tim Barringer is Paul Mellon Professor of the History of Art at Yale University. Edith Devaney is a curator at the Royal Academy and is co-curator of the forthcoming Royal Academy of Arts exhibition David Hockney RA: A Bigger Picture. Margaret Drabble is an author and novelist. Martin Gayford is chief art critic for Bloomberg News and his books include A Bigger Message: Conversations with David Hockney (T&H). Marco Livingstone is an art historian and independent curator, and the author of many books on the artist including David Hockney (World of Art/T&H) and David Hockney: My Yorkshire. He is co-curator of David Hockney RA: A Bigger Picture. Xavier Salomon is Curator of Southern Baroque in the Department of European Paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.